ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13921Executive OrderTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13921

Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth

This executive order directs federal agencies to reduce regulatory barriers for domestic fishing and aquaculture, combat illegal fishing, streamline permitting for offshore aquaculture projects, establish designated aquaculture zones, and develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy. It creates multiple task forces and deadlines across Commerce, Agriculture, Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies to expand U.S. seafood production and reduce reliance on imports.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 28471

Impact dates

  1. First triennial reassessment of National Aquaculture Development Plan

  2. Second annual update to fishery recommendations report

  3. Complete programmatic EIS for first two aquaculture opportunity areas

  4. Complete all environmental reviews and authorization decisions for aquaculture projects requiring EIS

  5. Identify two additional aquaculture opportunity areas (year 2)

  6. First required update to NOAA aquaculture guidance

  7. Commerce Secretary submits report evaluating fishery recommendations

  8. Commerce identifies at least two geographic areas suitable for commercial aquaculture

  9. NOAA publishes single guidance document on aquaculture permitting requirements and grant programs

  10. Regional Fishery Management Councils submit prioritized lists of recommended actions to reduce burdens on domestic fishing

  11. Interior, Agriculture, Commerce assess whether to revise National Aquaculture Development Plan

  12. NOAA issues notice of proposed rulemaking on Port State Measures Agreement

  13. Army Corps proposes nationwide permit for multi-species aquaculture in marine/coastal/EEZ waters

  14. Agriculture Secretary considers whether to terminate 2008 National Aquatic Animal Health Plan

Key directives

  • Regional Fishery Management Councils submit prioritized deregulation lists within 180 days
  • Commerce Secretary reports on fishery recommendations within 1 year, then annually for 2 years
  • NOAA issues proposed rulemaking on Port State Measures Agreement within 90 days
  • Army Corps proposes nationwide permits for finfish, seaweed, and multi-species aquaculture within 90 days
  • Aquaculture EIS projects completed within 2 years using 'One Federal Decision' process
  • Commerce identifies at least 2 aquaculture opportunity areas within 1 year, then 2 more annually for 4 years
  • NOAA publishes consolidated aquaculture permitting guidance within 240 days, updated every 18 months
  • Interior, Agriculture, Commerce assess National Aquaculture Development Plan revision within 180 days, then every 3 years
  • Agriculture Secretary considers terminating 2008 aquatic animal health plan within 30 days; new plan completed within 180 days if adopted
  • Commerce and USTR establish Seafood Trade Task Force within 30 days; recommendations within 90 days; comprehensive strategy within 180 days of recommendations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force
  • Consideration of terminating 2008 National Aquatic Animal Health Plan

Near term (90d)

  • Proposed rulemaking on Port State Measures Agreement
  • Army Corps nationwide permit proposals for finfish, seaweed, and multi-species aquaculture
  • Seafood Trade Task Force recommendations for trade strategy
  • Completion of new National Aquatic Animal Health Plan if adopted

Long term

  • Annual reports on fishery regulatory reform for 2 years
  • Programmatic EIS completion for aquaculture opportunity areas over 6 years
  • Ongoing updates to National Aquaculture Development Plan every 3 years
  • Biennial updates to National Aquatic Animal Health Plan if adopted

Risks & tensions

  • Multiple deadlines use 'as appropriate and consistent with applicable law' qualifiers, creating implementation uncertainty
  • Section 6's 2-year EIS deadline for aquaculture projects may conflict with NEPA's procedural requirements and judicial review timelines
  • Designation of NOAA as lead agency for EEZ aquaculture projects centralizes authority but may create tensions with Army Corps' permitting role
  • Mandatory programmatic EIS for 10 aquaculture opportunity areas over 6 years imposes substantial resource burden on NOAA
  • Trade strategy timeline (180 days after recommendations) pushes final deliverable to approximately late 2020, during presidential transition period
  • Security of tenure provisions for aquaculture operators may conflict with existing fishing rights and coastal state interests
  • Requirement to minimize conflicts with military readiness, energy development, and fishing creates competing stakeholder pressures
  • All implementation 'subject to the availability of appropriations' limits enforceability
Executive Order 13921: Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth · Executive Orders