Trump Administration’s New Priorities Put Profits Ahead of Marine Conservation
This story was originally published by Inside Climate News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. In the Western Pacific, protections for endangered leatherback turtles face elimination. In Alaskan waters, Steller sea lion sanctuaries could soon shrink. And in the North Atlantic, gear designed to save right whales from fatal entanglements might be permanently scrapped.…
The Trump administration has prioritized profits over marine conservation, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to eliminate restrictions that favor economically advantageous fishing procedures. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness" executive order. The administration is reevaluating marine protected areas, removing species from conservation lists, changing gear types, and expanding commercial fishing operations.
The administration's efforts reflect a view that fish are merely commodities and that short-term economic gains matter more than ocean ecosystem sustainability. Andrea Treece, senior attorney in the Oceans Program at Earthjustice, stated that the administration is disregarding the importance of stewardship towards the ocean and understanding that fish populations require protection for their long-term recovery and sustainability.
Nine letters were sent to fisheries management councils, reflecting consultation with industry insiders and management bodies. These letters aim to reduce burdens on domestic fishing, increase production, stabilize markets, improve access, and enhance economic profitability. The new priorities call for councils to reassess their fisheries management plans and consider removing or reducing species that no longer need conservation and management.
The administration's push to remove marine protected areas and gear restrictions is seen as potentially devastating for endangered species. For instance, the Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery is being moved to abolish its limit on interactions with endangered leatherback turtles. In Alaska, the Steller sea lion population, once endangered, has been slowly recovering but remains vulnerable due to climate change impacts.
Despite this, the administration is considering removing gear restrictions that will further threaten these populations.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
