Trump Reopens Northeastern Waters to Commercial Fishing

Reversal of Obama-era policy allows fishing in Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Trump administration has issued a proclamation reopening a vast area off the northeastern U.S. coast to commercial fishing. The area, known as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, was designated as a protected marine monument by the Obama administration in 2016, banning commercial fishing. The Biden administration had reinstated the fishing ban in 2021, but Trump's latest action overturns that decision.

Why it matters

The reopening of this fishing ground is a significant policy shift that will impact the fishing industry and conservation efforts in the region. The area contains sensitive marine ecosystems, but the Trump administration argues that existing regulations are sufficient to protect the environment without a complete ban on commercial fishing.

The details

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument covers nearly 5,000 square miles off the coast of Cape Cod. It was established in 2016 by President Obama to protect the area's underwater canyons, seamounts, deep-sea corals, and other marine life. The Trump administration's new proclamation revokes the commercial fishing ban, arguing that the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act already provides sufficient protections without the need for the monument designation.

  • The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was created by President Obama in 2016.
  • The commercial fishing ban was reinstated by the Biden administration in 2021.
  • President Trump issued the new proclamation reopening the area to commercial fishing on February 6, 2026.

The players

Trump administration

The current presidential administration led by former President Donald Trump, which has issued a proclamation reversing the commercial fishing ban in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

Obama administration

The previous presidential administration led by former President Barack Obama, which established the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument and banned commercial fishing in the area in 2016.

Biden administration

The presidential administration led by current President Joe Biden, which had reinstated the commercial fishing ban in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in 2021.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

A federal law that governs marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters.

Center for Biological Diversity

An environmental advocacy group that has criticized the Trump administration's decision to reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing.

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What they’re saying

“These magnificent canyons and seamounts are protected because vulnerable animals like the endangered sperm whale depend on them for survival. It's illegal and unconscionable for Trump to try to strip way safeguards just to throw commercial fishing a few more bucks.”

— Kristin Monsell, Oceans legal director, Center for Biological Diversity

“[The designation] stretched the language of the Antiquities Act to close the area to fishing without undertaking a thorough analysis of the conservation and economic tradeoffs.”

— Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts (The Bedford Light)

“Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, fishing activities in federal waters must meet strict sustainability standards, undergo vigorous scientific review, and follow a transparent process that includes stakeholder input and council oversight.”

— Bob Vanasse, Executive director, Saving Seafood

What’s next

Environmental groups have pledged to sue the Trump administration over the decision to reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, setting up a legal battle over the future of the protected area.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's decision to reverse the commercial fishing ban in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument highlights the ongoing tension between environmental protection and resource extraction, with both sides arguing that their approach best serves the public interest.