Commercial Fishing NAICS 1141

Mar 27, 2026 - Alaskans Seek Ban on Bottom Trawling

• Growing pressure to ban bottom trawling in waters off Alaska could significantly reshape the commercial fishing industry there, National Fisherman reports. More than 5,000 residents are urging federal action, citing concerns that industrial trawling causes high bycatch, including salmon, halibut, and crab, which are critical to many fisheries. For commercial fishers, especially smaller and subsistence fisheries, a ban could improve fish stock health and long-term sustainability, potentially reopening restricted fisheries and supporting more stable harvests. Many fishermen argue current practices are inequitable, as smaller fisheries face strict limits while trawlers continue operating with high bycatch levels. However, a ban would likely disrupt trawl fleets targeting species like pollock, forcing operational changes or reducing output in that segment. Overall, the issue reflects a broader industry shift toward balancing industrial fishing efficiency with conservation, with potential economic trade-offs between large-scale operators and smaller, community-based fisheries.
• President Trump has signed a proclamation allowing commercial fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, reversing protections first established in 2016, The New York Times reports. The 5,000-square-mile monument off Cape Cod is home to diverse marine life, including endangered whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and deep-sea corals. Fishing industry groups support Trump’s move, arguing their practices are regulated and vital to coastal economies. Some industry representatives said maintaining healthy waters is essential to their survival. Environmental groups strongly opposed the decision, warning that fishing could threaten fragile ecosystems and arguing the action may violate the Antiquities Act. Critics emphasized the area’s importance as a refuge for marine species and a scientific resource, particularly as ocean warming accelerates. The decision follows a similar rollback in the Pacific and may face legal challenges, as previous attempts to lift protections have been contested in court, according to NYT.

• The newly 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognize seafood as a whole-food source of key nutrients and encourage Americans to prioritize omega-3 fatty acids, Seafood Source reports. The DGAs create demand‑side opportunities for seafood producers. By explicitly prioritizing high‑quality protein and healthy fats while discouraging processed foods, they elevate seafood as a core “real food” category and recommend three or more servings per week, a substantial increase over current US consumption. This positions seafood as a preferred nutrient‑dense protein across all life stages, including infants, pregnant women, and adolescents, expanding the addressable market for fishers and manufacturers of fresh, frozen, canned, and value‑added products. Because the DGAs shape dozens of federal nutrition programs, the industry can expect higher procurement volumes from schools, military dining, veteran programs, and child nutrition services. The emphasis on omega‑3s, choline, and B12 strengthens the case for species like salmon, pollock, tuna, and shrimp.
• According to a new report from NOAA Fisheries, there were 95 large whale entanglement cases documented in 2024, an increase from 2023 and higher than the historical average. 2024’s entanglement count is above the average annual number of confirmed entanglements over the previous 17 years, which was 71.4. The National Report on Large Whale Entanglements Confirmed in the United States in 2024, released in September, finds that entanglements in fishing gear or marine debris represent an ongoing threat to the welfare and recovery of many whale species, including species that are endangered and approaching extinction (e.g., North Atlantic right whales). Entanglements involving threatened or endangered species can have significant negative impacts on the population as a whole. NOAA's Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan has required some fishermen to use gear, like weaker ropes, that lower the risk of entanglement.