U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced on Apr. 15 the creation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Seafood, joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, and Maine Senator Susan Collins.
The new office is intended to help American seafood cultivators, producers, and processors more easily access USDA programs and support services. The announcement marks a shift in federal policy recognizing fishermen as essential contributors to the nation's food supply.
"President Trump is the first President to recognize fisherman for the essential work they do to sustain our food supply," said Rollins. "With the launch of the USDA Office of Seafood, we are honoring decades of hard work on the water and opening the door to new opportunities, stronger support, and a brighter future for the seafood industry." Lutnick said: "The Trump Administration is committed to supporting American fishermen, strengthening our coastal communities, and ensuring families have access to affordable, high-quality American seafood... When our fishermen win, America wins." Burgum added: "American fishermen are the backbone of coastal economies and a vital part of our nation’s food security... By improving coordination across agencies, the Seafood Office will ensure these fishermen can fully access the tools and programs they need to thrive." Collins commented: "I appreciate that USDA is recognizing our fishermen as farmers of the sea and establishing the Office of Seafood... The creation of this office is a long overdue, essential step to expanding seats at the table for our hardworking fishing families." Sullivan said: "Alaska’s fishermen deserve the same federal attention... The new USDA Office of Seafood—an action I’ve been strongly advocating for over the past decade—opens that opportunity... With this new office we’re going to build a stronger partnership between USDA [and] Department of Commerce ... so they can continue ... sustainably harvesting ... wild seafood in world." Representative Cammack also stated: "Proud to be part ... Food security is national security which means prioritizing domestic production ... From our Florida coasts ... we’re cutting red tape ... ensuring American seafood competes—and wins—on world stage..."
The establishment comes fifty years after passage of key fisheries legislation in U.S. waters but follows years where many in fishing struggled with accessing government support programs.
In addition to focusing on customer service for seafood producers at USDA offices nationwide and working with other agencies like Commerce on broader strategy development—including promoting production and export—the move supports implementation efforts under President Trump's Executive Order 14276 related to restoring competitiveness in American seafood.
Separately from this initiative but relevant within recent Department activity affecting communities nationwide, five Arizona tribes will receive $105.8 million from Commerce's Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program through funding under Internet for All Initiative aimed at increasing tribal community internet access.
