Pacific Council adopts preliminary list of actions to respond to White House seafood competitiveness order

The Pacific Fishery Management Council on June 2025 approved an unprioritized list of ongoing and upcoming regulatory actions to support Executive Order 14,276, ‘‘Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,’’ and directed staff to apply criteria and return a finalized recommendation at the council’s September meeting.

The council’s action puts on record the items staff and advisory bodies identified as aligning with the EO’s goals to stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability and prevent fishery closures. Kelly Ames, council deputy director, told the council that NOAA Fisheries requested a response and that the councils must provide priorities and an implementation timeline: "NIMS has requested the council prepare a response to the EO by September 1 using the NIMS template," Ames said, adding that the EO’s transmittal deadline cannot be extended beyond Oct. 14.

Why it matters: the EO directs federal agencies and the regional councils to propose actions that reduce regulatory burden and support domestic seafood production. The council framed this effort as a two-step process: identify candidate actions now, then apply refined criteria over the summer and take final action in September so the council can…