NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.

12/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/15/2025 00:16

NOAA Reopens Seafood Executive Order Comment Period; NMMA Comments Already Submitted

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reopened its public comment period on Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, providing another opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in on fishery-related barriers, regulatory reform, fisheries management, and data modernization. The comment period reopened to accommodate the 45-day government closure and provide the public with an additional feedback opportunity as planned public engagements were cancelled in October. The reopened comment period closes tonight.

"The seafood executive order while, focused on commercial interests, created a very real and important opening for recreational boating and angling," said Robyn Boerstling, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Chief Advocacy Officer at NMMA. "The open comment that NOAA fisheries is managing has a direct link and interest to the President via the executive order and NMMA will be working with industry partners, stakeholders, and elected leaders to ensure accountability and follow through related to this unique opportunity."
NMMA has already submitted formal comments to NOAA Fisheries in response to Executive Order 14276. This public comment period remained open for an extended period, and NMMA's submission was filed earlier this year to ensure the recreational boating industry's priorities were clearly reflected as the agency evaluates next steps.
NMMA's comments emphasize that recreational boating and fishing are integral to America's seafood competitiveness and outdoor recreation economy. With $230 billion in annual economic impact, more than 812,000 U.S. jobs, and a manufacturing base where 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in America, the recreational marine industry must be fully considered in federal fisheries policy and regulatory decisions.
In its submission, NMMA urged NOAA to ensure that any regulatory reforms or fisheries management actions fully account for the economic and access impacts on recreational boaters, anglers, and the thousands of small businesses that support them.
Specifically, NMMA's comments called on NOAA to:
  • Consider the full economic impact of recreational boating and fishing when proposing or evaluating regulations that could limit access to public waters.
  • Reevaluate the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, particularly in light of new legal standards and advances in vessel technology.
  • Invest in technology-based conservation solutions, including tools developed through the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Task Force and the Vessel Strike Avoidance Fund.
  • Modernize fisheries management and data collection, including greater use of state-led and regionally tailored management models that have proven successful.
  • Apply commonsense regulatory reforms, such as updating prohibited species lists and reducing unnecessary barriers in Highly Migratory Species permitting.
NMMA will remain actively involved with federal agencies, industry partners, and policymakers to ensure recreational boating and fishing access, innovation, and U.S. marine manufacturing competitiveness remain front and center.
Members with questions about NMMA's comments or ongoing federal fisheries advocacy are encouraged to contact Clay Crabtree, NMMA Senior Director of Public Policy, at [email protected].
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on December 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 15, 2025 at 06:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]