The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday the creation of its new Office of Seafood, a first-of-its-kind office designed to give commercial fishermen, aquaculture producers, and seafood processors a clearer path to accessing federal programs and resources.
The announcement was made by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R.-Alaska, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
The new office will primarily serve as a coordinating body, working across USDA agencies to better integrate fishermen into existing programs while also partnering with the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies. A central piece of its mission will be helping develop the America First Seafood Strategy, an initiative aimed at boosting domestic production, marketing, export, and processing capacity for U.S. seafood.
The office supports President Trump's Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness executive order signed in April 2025 to direct multiple federal agencies to address what it called unfair foreign trade practices, reduce regulatory burdens on domestic fishermen, and strengthen the U.S. seafood supply chain. At the time of the order's signing, the administration noted that nearly 90 percent of seafood on American shelves is imported, and the seafood trade deficit stands at over $20 billion.
Sullivan, who said he had advocated for the office for more than a decade, framed the move as a matter of equity for fishermen.
"Alaska's fishermen deserve the same federal attention, resources, and risk management tools afforded to America's incredible farmers," Sullivan said. "The new USDA Office of Seafood—an action I've been strongly advocating for over the past decade — opens the door to that opportunity."
Sullivan's push for the office has a legislative track record. He introduced the National Seafood Supply Act in 2023, which proposed establishing such an office at USDA. More recently, the FY 2026 USDA appropriations bill included $500,000 to establish a seafood industry liaison at USDA, a step toward the creation of a full Office of Seafood.
Collins, whose state's seafood industry generates more than $5 billion in income and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, called the office long overdue.
"I appreciate that USDA is recognizing our fishermen as farmers of the sea and establishing the Office of Seafood," she said. "The creation of this office is a long overdue, essential step to expanding seats at the table for our hardworking fishing families."
The announcement — which came on the 50th anniversary week of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the foundational federal law governing marine fisheries in U.S. waters — reflects years of advocacy from fishing industry groups across the country. In 2023, several national seafood processing and fishing groups called on Congress to legislate more support for the sector within USDA, including establishing a dedicated office, a request that was partially granted with Congress' establishment of a USDA seafood liaison.
Commercial fishing groups from across the U.S. praised the creation of the new Office of Seafood.
Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, said in a statement, “USDA Secretary Rollins and Department of Commerce Secretary Lutnick set the stage today for a new era of cross-agency, federal collaboration around U.S. food systems. Fisheries champions in Congress have worked for years to bring these topics to the forefront. We thank Senators Collins, Murray, Sullivan and the many other elected officials that carried the torch on this important work.”
“Commercial fishermen are highly resourceful entrepreneurs who want to make investments in their businesses and coastal communities, ” said John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance. “Because they often struggle to obtain traditional financing, support from the USDA can turn their ideas into reality. I know a captain who used a grant to help triple his workforce and launch a new product.”
“America’s fishing communities are essential to our nation’s food security, economic resilience, and cultural identity,” said Eric Brazer, deputy director of the Gulf of America Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance. “We are encouraged to see USDA recognizing the role of fishermen alongside farmers and ranchers in building a stronger, more resilient food system. When fishermen can access the same tools as other food producers, we invest back into our businesses, our crews, and our communities.”
Louisiana Shrimp Association said in a statement that the new office "finally [places] America’s commercial fishermen inside the nation’s food‑policy framework instead of outside looking in."
"For years, seafood harvesters have said that federal food policy overlooked the men and women who bring wild, domestic seafood to American tables. This new office signals that those voices are being heard," the association added, describing the move as a "step toward recognizing the essential role that American seafood harvesters play in our national food supply... Our fishermen have been calling for stronger support, fairer treatment, and a seat at the table — and this action moves the country closer to that goal."
“This is a landmark day for U.S. shrimpers. Like our nation’s farmers, American commercial fishermen are food producers,” said Blake Price, director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “Nevertheless, while the USDA offers loans, grants, and marketing programs to food producers, this support is generally not available to fishermen. An Office of Seafood within the USDA is an essential first step in bringing shrimpers into the fold.”
Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers celebrated the "historic day for U.S. fishermen," noting, "Now our farmers of the sea will have access to resources, capital, and programs previously only available to terrestrial farmers."
“America’s fishermen take immense pride in helping to feed this country,” said Hannah Heimbuch, board president of Seafood Harvesters of America. “We harvest one of the healthiest, most sustainable protein sources in the world, in an industry made up primarily of family businesses. With better access to USDA loan and grant programs, independent harvesters and seafood businesses can
be more competitive and successful in this ever-shifting landscape.”
Lisa Wallenda Picard, president and CEO of the National Fisheries Institute, said in a statement, "From bait to plate and pond to processor there are many facets of this industry that can benefit from the Department’s expertise in feeding Americans and assisting American businesses that produce food. Seafood can have a necessarily complex value chain that is proud to feature iconic American fisheries and globally sourced raw material processed and distributed here in order to provide American families the healthiest animal protein on the planet."
