Trump Reopens Atlantic Ocean to Commercial Fishing, Reversing Obama-Era Protections

The former president signed a proclamation to reestablish fishing access in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the New England coast.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation to reopen nearly 5,000 square miles of protected Atlantic Ocean waters off the coast of New England to commercial fishing. The area, known as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, was established as a protected marine preserve by former President Barack Obama in 2016. Trump had previously rolled back the protections during his first term, but President Joe Biden later reinstated them. Trump has long been critical of the restrictions, describing them as burdensome on commercial fishermen.

Why it matters

The move to reopen the protected waters to commercial fishing is seen as a win for the fishing industry, which has long pushed for greater access to the area. However, environmental groups have warned that the decision could threaten the sensitive marine ecosystems found within the monument.

The details

Trump's proclamation would reestablish fishing in the nearly 5,000-square-mile Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which was created by former President Barack Obama in 2016 to protect vulnerable undersea corals and ecosystems. Trump had previously rolled back the protections during his first term, but President Joe Biden later reinstated them. Trump has long been critical of the restrictions, describing them as an unfair penalty on commercial fishermen.

  • In 2016, former President Barack Obama established the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
  • During his first term, President Trump rolled back the protections for the monument.
  • In 2021, President Biden reinstated the protections for the monument.
  • On February 7, 2026, President Trump signed a proclamation to reopen the monument to commercial fishing.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed a proclamation to reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing.

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States who established the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in 2016.

Joe Biden

The current President of the United States who reinstated the protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in 2021.

John Williams

The president and owner of the New Bedford, Massachusetts-based Atlantic Red Crab Company, who welcomed the move to reopen the area to commercial fishing.

Gib Brogan

The fisheries campaign director at the environmental group Oceana, who criticized the proclamation and warned that reopening the area could threaten sensitive marine ecosystems.

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What they’re saying

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

— John Williams, President and Owner, Atlantic Red Crab Company (The Associated Press)

“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.”

— Gib Brogan, Fisheries Campaign Director, Oceana (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The proclamation signed by President Trump will immediately reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, reversing the protections put in place by former President Obama.

The takeaway

This decision by President Trump to reopen the protected waters off the New England coast to commercial fishing is seen as a victory for the fishing industry, but it also raises concerns about the potential impact on the sensitive marine ecosystems found within the monument. The move highlights the ongoing tension between economic interests and environmental conservation efforts.