NOAA cuts and delayed regulations threaten $320 billion fishing economy from the Atlantic to Alaska
President Donald Trump’s 60-day regulatory freeze is causing widespread disruption across the U.S. fishing industry, delaying key decisions, threatening fish stock sustainability, and putting thousands of fishing jobs at risk. The freeze, announced in January as part of the administration’s broader deregulatory agenda, has upended the timelines for setting fishing quotas and opening seasons—tasks normally managed by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
From the North Atlantic to Alaska, commercial fishermen and industry groups warn that delayed rule-making and mass firings at NOAA have created confusion, allowed overfishing, and jeopardized the stability of fisheries critical to the $320 billion U.S. seafood economy.
Fishing Fleets in Limbo as Quotas Go Unset
Under federal law, NOAA is responsible for managing 45 coastal fisheries, including cod, haddock, scallops, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. The agency sets catch limits, determines fishing season dates, and monitors fish populations—activities now on hold or slowed by the regulatory pause.
“It can make or break a fishery if the window of opportunity to go fishing is narrowed or shifts significantly,” said Noah Oppenheim of Homarus Strategies, which advises U.S. fishing organizations. “Delays cost real time, real fish, and real money.”
In Rhode Island, commercial fisherman John Ainsworth expressed deep concern about the squid fishery: “Without federal managers, when do we know when the seasons open? When will they decide how much of the quota is caught?”
Overfishing and Missed Seasons Threaten Industry Stability
In February, a failure to enact timely catch limits led to 125% of the Atlantic bluefin tuna quota being harvested in the mid-Atlantic before the fishery was shut down. New York and New England fishermen now fear smaller quotas this summer when the species migrates north.
Delayed openings are also looming:
- New England’s $41 million groundfish fishery (cod, haddock, flounder) may miss its traditional May 1 start
- Portions of the $400 million scallop industry are facing reduced April openings
- West Coast salmon fisheries are behind schedule due to disrupted planning meetings
“If these quotas aren’t maintained and monitored, it’s going to become a free-for-all,” warned Christopher Willi, a Rhode Island fishing guide and restaurant owner.
NOAA Staff Cuts Compound the Crisis
The freeze also triggered layoffs of 163 NOAA fisheries employees—including fish biologists and regulatory specialists—representing roughly 5% of the workforce. While 12 were reinstated after a court order, many remain on administrative leave, delaying assessments essential to sustainable fishing.
Rebecca Howard, a fish biologist in Alaska, was conducting stock surveys when she was abruptly dismissed. “We were preparing data on pollock, cod, and shellfish populations. Now those assessments are on hold,” she said.
NOAA has refused to comment on personnel issues but confirmed it is complying with the presidential directive.
Industry Sounds the Alarm
“This is a textbook example of how regulatory freezes have real-world consequences,” said Ben Martens of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “Fishermen are calling us every day asking what’s going to happen.”
In Alaska, halibut and black cod fisheries narrowly avoided delay after Senator Lisa Murkowski intervened directly with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. But for many other fisheries, the situation remains precarious.
The Trump administration has argued that deregulation will help combat inflation and drive job growth. However, industry insiders say the opposite is happening for fishing communities.
“No fishery means no work,” said Linda Behnken of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “This isn’t bureaucracy. It’s biology. And the longer the delay, the worse the impact.”
What’s Next?
With the freeze still in effect and further staff cuts under review, the U.S. fishing industry faces continued uncertainty. Lawmakers and fishery councils are urging emergency actions, but unless NOAA regains full staffing and regulatory control soon, the ripple effects could be felt in markets, restaurants, and coastal economies nationwide.
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