Aug./Sept. 2025 Comment Period: Executive Order 14276 (Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness)
Executive Order 14276: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
On April 17, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14276: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, aimed at eliminating unfair trade practices, promoting ethical sourcing, and strengthening the integrity of the seafood supply chain.
The Regional Fishery Management Councils have been directed to identify and prioritize actions that enhance fishing opportunities, stabilize markets, and boost economic profitability. Additionally, the Secretary of Commerce and NMFS are tasked with gathering public input and adopting cost-effective technologies and research methods to modernize fishery management and support a more resilient seafood supply chain.
The Council wants to hear from YOU!
Public comments can be submitted online from July 28, 2025, through August 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The discussion questions below are intended to help guide your public comments and generate management recommendations.
Reducing Burdens and Increasing Productivity
- What would a “strong and competitive American seafood industry” look like to you?
- What specific challenges do you face as a commercial, for-hire, or recreational fisherman in the South Atlantic region that management action could help alleviate?
- Are there specific fishery management measures that are hurting your ability to participate in South Atlantic fisheries? Are there other factors preventing you from competing in the current market?
- How could regulations be modified to provide more opportunity for small-scale or new fishermen to participate in South Atlantic fisheries?
- What management measures would make South Atlantic seafood more competitive without compromising quality or sustainability?
Innovative Science and Management
- How do you recommend the South Atlantic Council balance environmental protection with economic growth in commercial and recreational fisheries?
- Which regulations support sustainability and profitability and need to remain in place, and which regulations should be reconsidered?
- Are there parts of the seafood industry (fishermen, crew, processors, distributors) that management needs to consider more when looking at regulatory measures?
- Are there specific policies or permitting processes that you would like to see improved or simplified?
- What types of scientific research or data (updated stock assessments, habitat data, etc.) would be most helpful for your fishing activities?
- What would make it easier for you to contribute data or knowledge to science efforts?
Upcoming Meeting of Council Advisory Panels
The Council’s Advisory Panels will convene on August 11th, 2025, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm to provide information about their fishery and what actions would help achieve the goals outlined in the Executive Order, such as market stability, increased access to fishing opportunities, and economic profitability.
When does the Council have to take action?
The following timeline was established to meet the requirement in the Executive Order to have input submitted within 180 days. Actions will need to undergo the amendment process, and the language in the EO requires the Council to commit to a work plan that prioritizes identified actions.
| Process Step | Date |
| Executive Order (EO) 14276 is published in the Federal Register. | April 17, 2025 |
| Council has preliminary discussions on actions that could respond to the EO mandates. | June 2025 |
| Public input period on EO recommendations begins. | July 28, 2025 |
| Council advisory panels meet to recommend actions that would respond to the EO mandates. | August 11, 2025 |
| Public input period on EO recommendations closes. | August 15, 2025 |
| Council reviews public and advisory panel input and finalizes recommendations. | September 15-19, 2025 |
| Council recommendations submitted to NMFS. | September 30, 2025 |
| Recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Commerce. | October 14, 2025 |