RESTORING AMERICAN SALTWATER ANGLING AND RECREATION

9/17/2026

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Purpose & Policy: Enhance the U.S. saltwater angling and recreational fishing sector—valued at over $1.2 trillion and supporting 5 million jobs—by shifting federal management from restricting access to actively empowering coastal communities and associated industries, in line with previous MABA and Seafood Competitiveness Orders.
Agency Implementation: All relevant executive departments must partner with States and the private sector to rebuild, expand, and modernize data collection while eliminating unnecessary restrictions that hinder coastal economies and charter fishing businesses.
Modernizing Data Collection: Transition from outdated methods by developing user-friendly mobile applications, evaluating traditional mail-in surveys, and building a real-time, integrated federal data architecture to support fishery management decisions.
Restoring Fisheries Science & Data Integrity: Improve NOAA’s MRIP data by setting data-replacement thresholds, pilot innovative programs for advanced tagging and catch reporting, and produce a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan for accurately capturing fisheries economic impacts.
Rescission of Restrictive Regulations: Initiate steps to suspend or revise regulations that burden boaters and outdoor businesses; introduce multi-year permit terms and a unified interagency Special Use Permit application to reduce administrative burdens.
Fast-Tracking Artificial Reefs & Habitat Creation: Establish a Federal program to convert decommissioned offshore structures into permanent artificial reefs, streamline interagency permitting, and revise policies governing reef placement within protected marine areas.
Managing Predators: Create an Interagency Shark and Pinniped Depredation Task Force to address species impacts, prioritize sustainable shark fisheries, and implement a real-time depredation reporting protocol.
Projects for Increasing Fish Abundance: Identify and remove administrative hurdles delaying restoration fund disbursements and establish a Restoration Coordination Working Group to enhance habitat restoration efforts.
General Provisions: Ensure the order does not impair agency authorities or create enforceable rights against the government, with implementation subject to applicable law and appropriations.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order promotes recreational fishing and marine infrastructure, which may lead to increased focus on environmental and conservation policies. This could impact Vanderbilt’s research programs related to environmental science and conservation.
As the recreational fishing sector expands, there may be greater competition for federal and state funding related to coastal and marine research, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s funding strategies and research priorities.
The modernization of data collection practices outlined in the order emphasizes the need for accurate and timely data, which could create opportunities for Vanderbilt to contribute to research and technology solutions, yet also necessitates alignment with evolving federal standards.
The focus on artificial reefs and habitat creation may provide collaborative opportunities for Vanderbilt’s marine biology programs, but could also require reevaluation of existing partnerships with local communities and regulatory bodies.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Environmental Science Program may need to adapt its curriculum and research focus to align with new federal priorities in marine conservation and fisheries management.
Vanderbilt’s Law School could see increased demand for courses and research on environmental law and regulatory compliance as new rules and standards emerge from this Executive Order.
The Department of Biological Sciences may have opportunities for research grants aimed at studying the impacts of artificial reefs on local ecosystems, presenting both a chance for growth and the need for compliance with new regulations.
Collaboration with state agencies on recreational fishing data collection may provide opportunities for internships and research opportunities for students in relevant fields.

Financial Impact

Increased federal investment in recreational fishing may redirect funds away from other environmental research areas, impacting the financial landscape for Vanderbilt’s research grants.
Opportunities for collaboration and funding in marine research and technology may increase, potentially bolstering Vanderbilt’s financial position in these areas.
The emphasis on reducing administrative burdens in permitting could streamline processes for Vanderbilt’s marine research initiatives, potentially leading to cost savings and increased project feasibility.
As recreational fishing becomes a priority, changes in fishing regulations could affect local economies, including those that support Vanderbilt’s community engagement initiatives.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and ethical considerations regarding environmental impact and funding.)

Key Actions

The Vanderbilt Marine Science Center should engage with federal agencies to understand the new policies around recreational fishing and marine resource management. This will help in aligning research efforts with federal priorities, potentially unlocking funding opportunities for related studies.
Vanderbilt’s Environmental Law Program should analyze the implications of the new data collection practices mandated by the executive order. This analysis can inform potential advocacy efforts for sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences should explore collaboration opportunities with state agencies and the recreational fishing community to leverage new data collection technologies. This could enhance research capabilities and provide students with hands-on experiences in marine resource management.
Vanderbilt’s Public Policy School should consider developing programs that focus on the economic impact of recreational fishing policies. This can position Vanderbilt as a thought leader in the conversation around outdoor recreation and its economic significance.
The Department of Public Health should assess the public health implications of increased recreational fishing and marine activities, ensuring that community health considerations are integrated into outdoor recreational policies and practices.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Marine Science Center to lead research initiatives on sustainable recreational fisheries management, potentially influencing national standards and practices in marine conservation.
There is a chance for Vanderbilt’s Environmental Law Program to engage in policy advocacy around the modernization of fisheries data collection, positioning the university as a key player in shaping future marine resource regulations.
The focus on marine infrastructure and habitat creation allows Vanderbilt’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to explore projects involving the development of artificial reefs, which can serve both ecological and educational purposes.
The emphasis on partnerships with the recreational fishing community opens pathways for Vanderbilt’s Center for Entrepreneurship to foster innovation in marine technologies and sustainable fishing practices, potentially leading to new business ventures and research collaborations.
By hosting conferences on the economic impact of recreational fishing, Vanderbilt’s Business School can enhance its engagement with industry stakeholders, creating opportunities for student involvement and networking.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s engagement in marine resource management and recreational fishing policies.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

Within 30 days: The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works must act to suspend, revise, or rescind regulations that burden boaters, anglers, and outdoor businesses.
Within 60 days:
- Relevant agencies shall evaluate permitting authorities to enable a transition to multi-year permit terms.
- The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Marine Minerals Administration, shall establish a Federal Outer Continental Shelf Reef-in-Place Program.
- The MABA Commission shall convene a Restoration Coordination Working Group to develop a framework for reducing duplicative restoration efforts.
Within 90 days: The Secretary must develop and implement a standardized “Real-Time Depredation Reporting” protocol.
Within 120 days: The NOAA Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, shall review and revise policies for SUPs and other authorizations governing artificial reefs.
Within 180 days:
- The Secretary of Commerce is required to review targeted National Standards Guidelines under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
- The Secretary must develop a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to improve the collection and application of recreational fisheries economic data.
Within 1 year: Agencies are to work toward a unified interagency Special Use Permit application portal.

Determined the timelines by identifying distinct deadline phrases in each section of the directive; the shortest timeline found is within 30 days.

Relevance Score: 4

Impacted Government Organizations

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Tasked with modernizing data collection for recreational fisheries and evaluating traditional survey systems, NOAA plays a central role in implementing the order’s scientific and regulatory measures.
Department of Commerce: Responsible for overseeing the review of National Standards Guidelines and coordinating data modernization efforts through its leadership of NOAA and other initiatives.
Department of the Interior: Charged with rescinding overly burdensome regulations, establishing the Outer Continental Shelf Reef-in-Place Program through its Marine Minerals Administration, and coordinating habitat and restoration projects.
Marine Minerals Administration: Operating under the Department of the Interior, it is directed to lead the conversion of decommissioned offshore structures into artificial reefs.
Department of Agriculture: Included in the initial steps to revise or rescind regulations that hinder marine infrastructure and access.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works: Engaged in reviewing and potentially revising permitting processes to reduce regulatory delays for marine and coastal activities.
Secretary of War: Involved in coordinating interagency review and permitting for reef projects alongside other agencies, reflecting the national security and defense implications embedded in marine infrastructure management.
United States Coast Guard (Commandant): The Commandant is consulted for integrating advanced technologies and ensuring safe navigational practices in marine operations.
Department of State: Plays a role in the interagency task force to manage international aspects of shark and pinniped depredation and sustainable fisheries management.
United States Trade Representative: Collaborates on addressing international trade barriers that impact sustainable shark fisheries and related export regulations.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Works in conjunction with the Department of the Interior to remove regulatory delays from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and bolster fishery management.
MABA Commission (Make America Beautiful Again Commission): Tasked with coordinating restoration efforts and aligning coastal economic interests with federal policy initiatives.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Although not directly implementing field measures, the OMB is noted for its role in ensuring that budgetary and administrative proposals are consistent with the order’s objectives.

Relevance Score: 4 (A wide range of Federal Agencies and executive entities—approximately 13 distinct agencies—are impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Commerce – Tasked with reviewing National Standards Guidelines for the Magnuson-Stevens Act, modernizing Federal recreational fishing data collection, and coordinating interagency efforts.
NOAA Administrator – Responsible for implementing rulemaking and technological upgrades to modernize Federal data collection infrastructure, as well as evaluating and replacing MRIP data where necessary.
Secretary of the Interior – Charged with suspending or revising regulations that restrict marine infrastructure and access and leading the establishment of the Outer Continental Shelf Reef-in-Place Program.
Secretary of Agriculture – Instructed to take steps, along with others, to cease regulations that overly burden maritime and recreational industries.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works – Required to coordinate in the rescission or revision of regulations that restrict marine and coastal activities.
Secretary of War – Called upon to coordinate on artificial reef projects as part of interagency review and permitting efforts.
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard – Expected to consult on marine mammal avoidance technologies and participate in interagency coordination for both regulatory relief and reef-related initiatives.
Secretary of State – Named as a key participant in establishing the Interagency Shark and Pinniped Depredation Task Force to address international and domestic barriers affecting sustainable shark fisheries.
United States Trade Representative – Also involved in the Interagency Shark and Pinniped Depredation Task Force to address trade-related challenges for sustainable fisheries.
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service – Charged with identifying and eliminating regulatory and administrative hurdles that delay disbursements from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.
MABA Commission – Instructed to convene a Restoration Coordination Working Group to develop frameworks for reducing duplicative restoration efforts within the same watersheds.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect multiple Cabinet-level officials and high-level agency heads across several departments, indicating far-reaching national impact.)