Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth

The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to collect burden-reduction recommendations from Regional Fishery Management Councils, designates NOAA as lead agency for offshore aquaculture permitting under a streamlined "One Federal Decision" process, and requires the Army Corps of Engineers to propose nationwide permits for finfish, seaweed, and multi-species aquaculture in marine and coastal waters. It requires NOAA to propose a rulemaking implementing the Port State Measures Agreement on illegal fishing, creates an Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force co-chaired by Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative, and requires a comprehensive seafood trade strategy. It also directs identification of geographic "Aquaculture Opportunity Areas" with programmatic environmental reviews, a public guidance document on aquaculture permitting, and review of the National Aquaculture Development Plan and the 2008 National Aquatic Animal Health Plan.

The order does not itself deregulate or permit any specific project; all concrete changes depend on future rulemakings, plan revisions, and agency decisions the order sets in motion. Actions must be consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and other applicable laws.

American commercial fishermen, aquaculture operators and investors seeking offshore permits, seafood exporters facing foreign trade barriers, Regional Fishery Management Councils, federal agencies that jointly permit aquaculture projects, and coastal and tribal communities with interests in marine resource management.

Aquaculture companies and offshore fish farmers could face faster, more predictable permitting through a single lead agency and a two-year EIS target. Domestic fishermen may see relaxed regulations if councils' recommendations are adopted. Seafood exporters could gain better foreign market access if the trade strategy the task force develops produces results.

The order runs on several parallel tracks with staggered deadlines. Fishing deregulation flows from councils to Commerce to OMB. Aquaculture permitting reform runs through NOAA as lead agency using the One Federal Decision framework, with Army Corps nationwide permit proposals adding a separate regulatory pathway. Trade policy runs through a new task force that feeds recommendations into a USTR-led strategy submitted to the President. The Aquaculture Opportunity Areas process unfolds over at least six years. No direct enforcement teeth exist; the order relies on reporting obligations back to White House policy offices to maintain accountability.