Trump signed an order to deregulate the U.S. fishing industry. Here’s what fishermen think about it

Virginia Olsen, a fifth-generation lobster fisherman from Maine, is encouraged by President Trump's executive order aimed at restoring American fisheries to their former glory. The order promises to reduce fishing regulations, allowing fishermen to do what they do best - fish. The order is a response to the national seafood trade deficit of over $20 billion. Conservation groups and marine scientists argue that the ocean needs more regulation, not less, citing a study that found 82% of fish and invertebrate populations are below sustainable levels. Trump's order prioritizes commerce over conservation and calls for the development of a comprehensive seafood trade strategy. Many commercial fishermen and fishing trade groups have lauded the order will help reduce the competitive disadvantage faced by the US. However, some fishermen argue that strong conservation laws are critical to protecting species that fishermen rely on to make a living. The support for deregulation is not unanimous, with some fearing the order could harm fisheries, such as the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishery. The executive order arrives at a time when America's commercial fishermen are coping with environmental challenges and the decline of some once-marketable species. The order's impact on the US industry and American consumers remains to be seen.