Oversight Hearing titled “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.”

House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries

2025-06-04

Loading video...

Summary

The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries convened an oversight hearing titled "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness" to discuss ways to bolster commercial and recreational fishing across the United States. The discussion focused on challenges facing the U.S. seafood industry, the role of regulatory frameworks, and the importance of scientific data in ensuring sustainable and competitive fisheries.

Themes

Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness and Regulatory Reform

The hearing addressed the Trump administration's executive order aimed at restoring American seafood competitiveness by reducing regulatory burdens for the fishing industry and promoting its growth [ 00:23:11-00:23:18 ]

. The Chair highlighted the goal of enhancing commercial fishing, supporting millions of jobs, and generating conservation investments [ 00:22:11-00:22:22 ] . Key challenges identified included issues with science and data collection, regulatory hurdles from the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, and restrictions on water access [ 00:22:41-00:22:58 ] . Witnesses noted that regional councils are actively working with NOAA to implement the executive order by submitting recommendations to reduce burdens and increase production . The executive order's emphasis on expanding exempted fishing permits (EFPs) was seen as relevant for promoting recreational fishing opportunities, particularly in transitioning to state-led management models for fisheries like Gulf Red Snapper . Several speakers advocated for states to manage their own fisheries, citing the success of Florida's 126-day Gulf Red Snapper season compared to the limited one-day season in the Southeast Atlantic under NOAA management .

Importance of Science and Data in Fisheries Management and NOAA Funding

A central theme was the critical role of robust scientific data and adequate funding for NOAA in effective fisheries management. The Ranking Member criticized the Trump administration's cuts to NOAA funding and staff, arguing that these actions undermine the seafood industry's competitiveness by leading to vacant positions, canceled research, and delayed compliance reviews for hatcheries [ 00:24:44-00:25:23 ]

[ 00:25:36-00:25:57 ] . Multiple speakers stressed that a fully funded and staffed NOAA is essential for timely surveys, accurate stock assessments, and vigorous oversight, without which the industry risks significant losses . Concerns were raised that management decisions are often based on inaccurate or uncertain data, such as that from the Federal Recreational Data Collection System (MRIP), leading to restrictive measures that harm fishermen . It was highlighted that NOAA budget cuts and staffing reductions directly impede fish surveys and stock assessments, forcing councils to apply precautionary, lower catch limits . Witnesses emphasized the need for greater collaboration between scientists and fishermen in data collection to ensure accuracy and build trust .

Threat of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Foreign Competition

The discussion also focused on the significant threat posed by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and unfair foreign competition. The Chair noted the need to counter the aggression of China and Russia in the seafood sector [ 00:22:31 ]

. Critics argued that the administration's actions, such as dismantling the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), undermine efforts to combat IUU fishing and cripple agencies responsible for fisheries management . It was stated that transparency is crucial because foreign actors, including Russia, flood global markets with mislabeled products, creating unfair competition for U.S. fishermen [ 01:10:21-01:10:26 ] . Speakers pointed out that Alaska's seafood industry particularly struggles against non-market economies like China and Russia, which heavily subsidize their fleets and have lower vessel construction costs . Concerns were also raised about the national security implications of foreign fishing fleets, particularly those from China and Russia, which may engage in espionage near U.S. military installations and infrastructure .

Specific Challenges and Solutions in Fisheries

Several specific challenges and potential solutions were highlighted for different fisheries. For North Atlantic right whales, the current regulations, including area closures and gear modifications, were described as imposing significant financial and physical burdens on fishermen, often based on insufficient real-time data . Non-invasive tagging and real-time location data were suggested as more effective solutions than broad closures . Shark depredation, where sharks eat hooked fish, was identified as a growing problem that affects the sustainability of target species and creates an imbalance in mortality data . The Shark Act was supported to establish a task force for science-based solutions . The importance of forage fish, such as sardines and anchovies, was underscored as the backbone of the ocean food web, with bipartisan legislation proposed to ensure their conservation . The "gray zone" dispute near Machias Seal Island, where U.S. and Canadian fishermen operate under different regulations, was cited as an issue needing resolution through co-management or full U.S. sovereignty .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely contentious, marked by a clear partisan divide, especially concerning the Trump administration's impact on NOAA funding and regulatory actions [ 00:24:44-00:25:23 ]

. While there was a shared interest in supporting American fishermen and ensuring sustainable fisheries, expressed through calls for better data and science-based management, the approaches differed significantly between the majority and minority members [ 00:21:53-00:22:02 ] [ 00:23:57-00:24:25 ] . Witnesses generally conveyed a sense of concern regarding the impacts of budget cuts and regulatory uncertainty on their livelihoods and communities . The cultural and economic importance of the fishing industry to coastal communities was a recurrent and emotive point raised by many speakers [ 00:22:05-00:22:11 ] .