Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
Summary
This executive order aims to restore American seafood competitiveness by reducing regulatory burdens on domestic fishermen, combating illegal fishing, and addressing unfair trade practices. It builds upon Executive Order 13921 from 2020, seeking to further promote domestic fishing and strengthen the seafood supply chain. The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to review and revise regulations, develop a seafood strategy, and assess trade practices of major seafood-producing nations.
The order also instructs the Secretary of Commerce to review existing marine national monuments for potential commercial fishing opportunities. It emphasizes the use of technology to improve fisheries management and data collection.
Ultimately, the goal is to make the United States the world’s dominant seafood leader by supporting American fishermen and protecting them from unfair competition.
Expected Effects
The executive order is likely to result in changes to fisheries regulations, potentially leading to increased domestic seafood production. It could also lead to trade negotiations or enforcement actions against countries engaged in unfair trade practices. The review of marine national monuments may result in some areas being opened to commercial fishing.
Potential Benefits
- Increased domestic seafood production and availability.
- Reduced regulatory burdens for American fishermen.
- Improved competitiveness of the U.S. seafood industry.
- Potential for new jobs in the fishing and aquaculture sectors.
- Stronger enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for overfishing and damage to marine ecosystems if regulations are loosened too much.
- Possible conflicts with environmental protection laws, such as the Endangered Species Act.
- Risk of alienating international partners if trade enforcement is overly aggressive.
- Concerns about the impact of opening marine national monuments to commercial fishing.
- Potential for unintended consequences from rapidly changing fisheries management practices.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The executive order is issued under the President's authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the United States. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention fisheries management, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states, which implicitly supports federal regulation of seafood trade and domestic fishing. The order's focus on trade practices aligns with this constitutional authority. However, potential conflicts could arise if actions taken under the order infringe upon individual liberties or environmental protections, potentially raising concerns under the Fifth Amendment (due process) or other constitutional provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).