“By revoking the Obama-Biden restrictions, President Trump’s proclamation supports New England’s fishing communities, in turn fostering economic growth and job creation in coastal regions.”
Trump is set to sign an executive order that is designed to "unleash commercial fishing in the Atlantic, advancing the America First Fishing Policy," that will reopen thousands of square miles of ocean in New England that had been closed off to commercial fishing by former President Barack Obama.
A White House fact sheet obtained by NHJournal ahead of the signing stated, "President Trump is committed to removing unnecessary restrictions on American fishermen in order to strengthen the US economy, support coastal communities, and restore fairness to an industry disadvantaged by overregulation and unfair foreign competition."
The order will roll back commercial fishing prohibitions in a 4,913 square mile area off the coast of New England that had been designated by Obama as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Trump had previously rolled back the restrictions under his first administration, but the restrictions were put back into place by Biden.
The fact sheet stated, "By revoking the Obama-Biden restrictions, President Trump’s proclamation supports New England’s fishing communities, in turn fostering economic growth and job creation in coastal regions."
New Hampshire-born Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "GREAT News for New England's Fishermen and Lobstermen, and another Promise Made & Promise Kept by President Trump!"
Governor Kelly Ayotte said in response to the move, "New Hampshire’s commercial fishing industry is a proud part of our heritage, and I am pleased to see President Trump remove burdensome regulations that have had a negative impact on our lobstermen and fishermen."
On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to help the fishing industry, telling a crowd in Concord, NH in 2024, "I don’t know much about fishing, but I love what they do, and they’re brave people. I’ll fight for the fishermen like never before."
Trump’s campaign received strong support from the fishing industry, with Drew Minkiewicz of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund telling reporters, "I have yet to see a Harris-Walz flag on a fishing vessel."
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