NOAA Fisheries is calling on industry stakeholders, coastal communities, and the public to help shape the future of American seafood. The request follows President Biden’s April 17, 2025, Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which directs a government-wide effort to strengthen the nation’s seafood supply chain and ensure more U.S.-harvested seafood ends up on American plates.

The initiative comes at a critical time. Between 2019 and 2023, domestic landings fell by roughly one billion pounds, while U.S. producers faced growing pressure from global imports, shifting market demand, and climate-driven ocean changes.

“Through our implementation of the President’s Executive Order, NOAA Fisheries is aiming to address the recent decline in fisheries landings and revenues,” said Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries. “We look forward to receiving input from the public.”

To fulfill the Executive Order, NOAA – working with other federal agencies and partners – has outlined priority actions, including:

• Reviewing regulatory changes for fisheries with significant declines
• Reassessing fishing limitations in marine national monuments
• Modernizing data collection through advanced, cost-effective technologies
• Updating the U.S. Seafood Trade Strategy to reflect today’s global markets
• Developing an interagency “America First Seafood Strategy”

NOAA is specifically seeking feedback on how to:

• Improve fisheries regulations to reduce burdens on U.S. businesses
• Support innovation and adaptive management through new technologies and cooperative research
• Modernize data and forecasting tools to help seafood producers respond to real-time ocean and market conditions
• Expand exempted fishing permit programs to create new opportunities nationwide

The public comment period is open until Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Click here for full details on the call for public comments.