NOAA Rescinds Commercial Fishing Ban in Atlantic Monument Area
Summary
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has rescinded a regulation prohibiting commercial fishing within the 4,913-square-mile Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a protected area in the Atlantic Ocean. This action aligns U.S. fishing regulations with President Trump's Executive Proclamation to reopen the monument to commercial fishing of species including Atlantic deep-sea red crab, squid, Atlantic mackerel, and Atlantic tunas and swordfish. Commercial fishermen and seafood businesses previously excluded from the monument will now have access to these waters.
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What changed
The rule removes the prohibition on commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a marine protected area in the Atlantic. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service made this change to conform with the President's Executive Proclamation Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic. Affected parties include commercial fishermen, fishing vessels, and seafood businesses that were previously prohibited from operating in the 4,913-square-mile monument area. The action is part of the Administration's America First Fishing Policy aimed at restoring U.S. seafood competitiveness.
NOAA states it will continue balancing the management of the national monument's marine ecosystem with the engagement of commercial fisheries, including coordination with the regional fishery management councils. This suggests that future management measures within the monument may still apply, and fishermen should monitor for any additional requirements from regional councils.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
NOAA rescinds regulation prohibiting commercial fishing in Atlantic monument area
Focus areas: Fisheries Topics: commercial fishing marine protected areas Share: Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share by email )
April 3, 2026
A school of yellow fin tuna swim through blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. (Image credit: Courtesy of Jeff Muir)
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today rescinded a regulation that prohibited commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument boundaries. This action was necessary to align fishing regulations with President Trump’s Executive Proclamation Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic to reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing.
NOAA is proud to support the Administration’s pledge to restore U.S. seafood competitiveness through the America First Fishing Policy. The President’s Executive Proclamation and NOAA’s regulatory actions come as a direct result of feedback from the U.S. fishing industry and they will increase economic opportunities for American fishermen.
“Through this Executive Proclamation, the president delivered on his promise to bolster the American fishing industry and fishing communities,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “Restoring fishing in the Northeast Monument sends a signal that our fishermen are valued in the United States.”
Due to upwellings of deep, cold water, the 4,913 square miles of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is home to many desirable fishery resources including Atlantic deep-sea red crab, squid, Atlantic mackerel, and Atlantic tunas and swordfish. Commercial fishing of these species will strengthen economic development for American coastal communities.
“The United States will strengthen our global leadership in fisheries, as we continue to restore opportunities for our great fishermen,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “This historic action will lead to more U.S.-caught fish on American tables.”
In 2023, U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries contributed over 2.1 million jobs and $319 billion in national fishery sales. U.S. marine fisheries boost the economy, invest in local communities, and provide safe, ethically harvested sources of delicious protein.
Sustainable American fisheries management is based on strong science, responsive management, and enforced compliance. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and its partners will continue balancing the management of the national monument’s marine ecosystem with the engagement of commercial fisheries, including coordination with the regional fishery management councils.
For more details, please visit: Federal Register | Modifications to Conform U.S. Fishery Regulations with the Presidential Proclamation Unleashing Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic
Media contact
Rachel Hager, nmfs.pa@noaa.gov
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