USDA launches The Office of Seafood
The initiative is designed to improve interagency coordination and widen participation in USDA support systems for the seafood industry.
USA – US officials, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Senator Dan Sullivan and Senator Susan Collins, announced the creation of a new Office of Seafood within the US Department of Agriculture
The office is aimed at organising federal support for fishermen, seafood producers, and processors, and at improving access to USDA programs.
Officials said the office will streamline engagement with USDA systems by coordinating across agencies and working with the Department of Commerce and other federal partners to simplify access to resources, reduce administrative steps and integrate seafood operators into existing agricultural support structures.
Rollins said the office is intended to recognise fishermen’s role in the national food supply and expand access to federal support. Burgum said it will improve coordination for coastal economies.
Lutnick said the administration is focused on strengthening domestic seafood production and maintaining supply and affordability.
Senator Collins said Maine’s seafood sector contributes significantly to the regional economy and should be better included in federal programs.
Senator Sullivan said Alaska’s fishing communities have long needed more structured federal tools and described the office as a channel for closer engagement with USDA resources.
Representative Cammack said the initiative aligns seafood production with national food security priorities while supporting efforts to reduce administrative delays and improve conservation and competitiveness for US fisheries and aquaculture.
Policy context and strategy
The Magnuson-Stevens Act, enacted 50 years ago to govern US marine fisheries, was referenced by officials as a foundation for fisheries management, though they noted ongoing challenges in connecting fishermen to federal assistance programs.
The effort is linked to Executive Order 14276 on restoring seafood competitiveness and will contribute to an America First Seafood Strategy aimed at expanding production, marketing, exports and domestic processing capacity for US seafood products.
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