Trump Promises to Reverse Obama-Era Atlantic Fishing Restrictions off New England Coast

President Trump announced Friday that he has reopened nearly 5,000 square miles of protected Atlantic Ocean waters off New England to commercial fishing through a presidential proclamation. The move affects the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a preserve located east of Cape Cod that was established by former President Barack Obama in 2016.

“Today, I signed a Presidential Proclamation to UNLEASH Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, advancing the America First Fishing Policy!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I am restoring nearly 5,000 square miles of fishing access off the Coast of New England, which will revitalize our fishing industry and strengthen our booming economy.”

The decision marks the latest chapter in a back-and-forth battle over the protected area. During his first term, Trump had rolled back Obama’s restrictions on commercial fishing in the monument, but President Biden later reinstated them after taking office. Trump characterized Biden’s action as being done by “whoever was using the AUTOPEN,” suggesting it wasn’t a decision Biden made personally.

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was originally created to protect vulnerable undersea corals and ecosystems. When Obama designated the area, he framed it as essential for marine conservation, while Trump has consistently portrayed the restrictions as unfairly penalizing commercial fishermen trying to make a living.

This latest proclamation aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to reduce regulatory burdens on the fishing industry. Earlier this year, the White House reported that Trump signed a more comprehensive order directing federal agencies to ease regulations affecting fishermen.

Commercial fishing interests have welcomed Trump’s decision. John Williams, president and owner of the New Bedford, Massachusetts-based Atlantic Red Crab Company, told The Associated Press that fishermen deserve recognition for their sustainable practices, not additional restrictions.

“We deserve to be rewarded, not penalized,” Williams said. “We’re demonstrating that we can fish sustainably and continue to harvest on a sustainable level in perpetuity.”

New Bedford, located on the Massachusetts coast, is one of the nation’s most important commercial fishing ports and has been particularly vocal about the economic impact of fishing restrictions in the region. The New England fishing industry has faced numerous challenges in recent decades, including declining fish stocks, strict catch limits, and rising operational costs.

However, environmental advocates have expressed concern about the potential consequences of reopening the protected area to commercial fishing. They argue that the monument serves a crucial role in preserving marine biodiversity and protecting sensitive underwater habitats.

“The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was created to provide strong protections for the wide range of marine life that live in these unique habitats,” said Gib Brogan, fisheries campaign director at the environmental group Oceana.

The area contains underwater mountains and canyons that serve as habitat for various marine species, including endangered whales, sea turtles, and rare deep-sea corals. Conservation groups argue that protecting these areas from commercial fishing helps maintain ecosystem health and provides scientists with relatively undisturbed areas to study marine life.

Trump’s move reflects the ongoing tension between environmental protection and economic interests that has characterized much of American resource management policy. His administration has consistently prioritized reducing regulations that it sees as impediments to economic growth and job creation.

The impact of this decision will likely depend on how quickly commercial fishing operations move into the newly reopened areas and what specific fishing methods they employ. The monument’s unique deep-sea ecosystems have developed over centuries, and some environmentalists worry that certain fishing practices could damage these fragile habitats.

For New England’s fishing communities, however, the proclamation represents an opportunity to access historically productive fishing grounds that have been off-limits in recent years, potentially providing economic relief to an industry that has faced significant challenges.