Overview
- The Agriculture Department unveiled a dedicated Office of Seafood, with Secretary Brooke Rollins announcing the launch alongside Commerce and Interior leaders and senators from Maine and Alaska.
- USDA says the new office will focus on customer service to help cultivators, producers, and processors navigate programs that many have struggled to use.
- The office will guide fishermen on marketing in U.S. and overseas markets, federal seafood purchasing, grant and loan applications, and disaster aid.
- USDA links the office to President Trump's Executive Order 14276 and says it will work with the Commerce Department on an America First Seafood Strategy to boost U.S. production and processing.
- Citing a heavy import gap of about 80% of U.S. seafood consumption, officials and groups such as the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association praised the move as long overdue for coastal communities.