Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness

4/17/2025

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Background and Context: Recognizes the United States’ vast ocean resources and the historical excellence of American seafood, while noting that overregulation, outdated fisheries data, restrictions (e.g., restrictive catch limits), and the leasing of fishing grounds to foreign entities have undermined domestic production. Additionally, unfair trade practices have led to a high reliance on imported seafood and a substantial trade deficit.
Purpose: Aims to counteract unfair trade practices and unsafe imports, level the playing field for domestic producers, promote ethical sourcing, reduce regulatory burdens, and secure the integrity of the U.S. seafood supply chain by building on previous executive actions.
Policy Objectives:
- Enhance the productive harvest of domestic seafood resources.
- Reduce costly and inefficient regulations affecting commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing.
- Combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- Protect domestic seafood markets from unfair foreign trade practices.
New Era of Seafood Policy Measures:
- Regulatory Review: The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with HHS and the fishing industry, must review and potentially suspend, revise, or rescind regulations that overly burden fisheries, with identified actions to be taken within 30 days and detailed recommendations provided by Regional Fishery Management Councils within 180 days.
- Public Engagement: Solicit direct public comments from industry members, marine scientists, and technology experts, and increase engagement with federal agencies to realign fisheries management priorities.
- Unified Regulatory Agenda: Update contributions to the Regulatory Agenda and resume annual reporting to key executive offices, building on previous efforts under Executive Order 13921.
- Modernizing Assessments and Practices: Instruct the National Marine Fisheries Service to adopt cost-effective technology and improve data collection methods to better respond to real-time ocean conditions; expand exempted fishing permit programs to boost fishing opportunities nationwide.
- America First Seafood Strategy: Collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and implement a strategy that promotes domestic production, marketing, sale, and export of seafood while strengthening domestic processing and consumer education on seafood benefits.
- Seafood Trade Strategy: Within 60 days, the Secretary of Commerce and the USTR, supported by the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force, are to assess competitiveness issues and develop a comprehensive strategy to address unfair foreign trade practices, including IUU fishing and non-tariff barriers.
- Trade Practice Review: USTR to examine trade practices of major seafood-exporting nations, particularly regarding IUU fishing and forced labor, and pursue appropriate responses using trade enforcement authorities if necessary.
- Import Monitoring Enhancement: Consider revising recent expansions of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program to better target high-risk shipments, using cost savings to fortify port inspections and deploy improved technology for violation detection.
- Marine National Monument Review: Within 180 days, review existing marine national monuments in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior to determine if any should be opened to commercial fishing, ensuring compatibility with historic and scientific preservation.
General Provisions: The order does not impair the legal authority of executive agencies, complies with applicable laws and budget appropriations, and does not create legal rights enforceable against the United States or its representatives.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order aims to reduce regulatory burdens on the seafood industry, which could lead to increased competition and market shifts. This may impact Vanderbilt’s research and educational programs related to marine biology and environmental science, as changes in regulations could alter the focus and funding of research projects.
There is a risk that the reduction in regulations could lead to environmental concerns, such as overfishing or damage to marine ecosystems. This could affect Vanderbilt’s partnerships and collaborations with environmental organizations and agencies.
The emphasis on promoting domestic seafood production and reducing imports may affect international collaborations and research opportunities for Vanderbilt, particularly in areas related to global trade and economics.
Vanderbilt may need to consider how changes in the seafood industry could impact its programs in public policy, economics, and environmental law, as these areas may see shifts in focus due to new regulatory and trade policies.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Marine Biology and Environmental Science Programs may need to adjust their research focus to align with new regulatory and industry priorities, potentially affecting funding and collaboration opportunities.
The School of Law could see increased demand for expertise in environmental and trade law, as changes in seafood regulations and trade practices may lead to new legal challenges and opportunities.
The Department of Economics might explore the economic impacts of the Executive Order, including shifts in domestic and international seafood markets, providing opportunities for research and policy analysis.
The Office of Global Strategy may need to reassess international partnerships and collaborations in light of changes to trade policies and practices affecting the seafood industry.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of resources towards domestic seafood production and reduced imports could impact funding opportunities for research and development in related fields at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt may experience changes in its funding landscape, particularly if federal grants prioritize research and initiatives aligned with the new seafood policies.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research in marine science, environmental policy, and trade economics, particularly through collaborations with federal agencies and industry partners.
As the seafood industry undergoes changes, there could be shifts in the demographics of students interested in related fields, potentially affecting enrollment and program offerings at Vanderbilt.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in research focus and funding opportunities.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Marine Biology and Environmental Science Departments should explore research opportunities related to the modernization of data collection and analytical practices in fisheries management. By engaging in cooperative research programs, the university can contribute to the development of less expensive and more reliable technologies for fishery assessments.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in the America First Seafood Strategy and the comprehensive seafood trade strategy. Understanding these strategies can help Vanderbilt identify potential research collaborations and funding opportunities related to seafood production, marketing, and trade.
Vanderbilt’s Law School could examine the legal implications of revising or rescinding regulations affecting the seafood industry, particularly in relation to international trade practices and the use of forced labor in the seafood supply chain. This research could inform policy recommendations and advocacy efforts.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies should consider conducting policy analysis on the impact of opening marine national monuments to commercial fishing. This analysis could provide insights into the balance between economic interests and environmental preservation.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Business School to engage in research and development of strategies to enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. seafood industry. By leveraging expertise in business and trade, the school can contribute to the design and evaluation of effective seafood trade strategies.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on ethical sourcing and reducing regulatory burdens by developing new programs and partnerships with seafood industry stakeholders. This could include joint research initiatives, student internships, and collaborative projects, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the environmental and economic sectors.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents some adjustments needed to processes or procedures, particularly in research and policy analysis related to fisheries management and trade strategies.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.6

Timeline for Implementation

Within 30 days – The Secretary of Commerce is required to immediately identify the most heavily overregulated fisheries and take action to reduce the regulatory burden.
Within 60 days – The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative must, in consultation with the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force, assess seafood competitiveness issues and develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy.
Within 180 days – Regional Fishery Management Councils are mandated to update their recommendations to reduce burdens on domestic fishing, and the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, must review all existing marine national monuments for potential commercial fishing openings.

Relevance Score: 4

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Commerce: Leading the effort to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic fishing, modernize data collection, and implement the America First Seafood Strategy.
Regional Fishery Management Councils: Tasked with providing updated recommendations to reduce regulatory pressures on specific fisheries.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): Directed to incorporate improved technologies and research programs into fishery assessments.
Department of Health and Human Services: Consulted to review and potentially revise the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, contributing to public health safeguards within the seafood supply chain.
Department of Agriculture: Involved in developing and implementing programs to promote and educate on American seafood products, including bolstering domestic processing.
United States Trade Representative (USTR): Appears in formulating a comprehensive seafood trade strategy and addressing unfair trade practices affecting U.S. seafood markets.
Department of Homeland Security: Consulted to use cost savings for improving port inspections and ensuring that IUU seafood is kept out of the domestic market.
Department of the Interior: Consulted regarding the review of marine national monuments and making recommendations concerning commercial fishing access.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Mentioned through the directive to resume annual reporting on activities and regulatory updates.
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ): Included as a key recipient of updates on the department’s regulatory contributions to the Unified Regulatory Agenda.

Relevance Score: 3 (A moderate number of Federal Agencies and interagency bodies are impacted by this order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Commerce – Charged with leading the review and reform of overregulation in commercial fishing, coordinating with other agencies, soliciting public input, updating regulatory agendas, and modernizing fishery assessments.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Consulted to review and potentially revise aspects of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program and to support public health-related seafood initiatives.
Secretary of Agriculture – Tasked with developing and implementing the America First Seafood Strategy to boost domestic production, marketing, and processing of U.S. seafood products.
United States Trade Representative – Responsible, in tandem with the Secretary of Commerce, for assessing seafood trade competitiveness and developing a comprehensive trade strategy targeting unfair foreign trade practices.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Involved in revising or rescinding recent expansions of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program and enhancing port inspections for high-risk shipments.
Secretary of the Interior – Consulted to review existing marine national monuments and recommend which, if any, should be opened to commercial fishing.
National Marine Fisheries Service – Directed to implement technological updates and expanded permit programs as part of modernizing fishery assessments.
Regional Fishery Management Councils – Tasked with providing updated recommendations and establishing work plans to reduce regulatory burdens, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect multiple Cabinet-level officials and agency heads, with extensive and high-level policy implications.)