Trump orders executive action on sharks and seals to aid fishing

Predator Management and Marine Mammal Protections

The executive order establishes a section dubbed “managing predators,” which calls on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to create an interagency task force. Lutnick must work with the State and Interior departments to address international and domestic barriers to sustainable shark fisheries. State and federal officials say sharks, Steller sea lions, and seals prey heavily on popular sport and commercial fish species like salmon and halibut.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang said by email that marine predation is a significant issue in the state. “There is evidence that marine predators eat more salmon than are harvested by humans,” Vincent-Lang said. He sees opportunity in the order to revise the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 so officials can manage marine mammals as a functional part of the ecosystem rather than for optimal population numbers.

Conservation Criticism Versus Industry Support

Ocean advocates quickly condemned the directive. Retired University of Alaska professor and ocean advocate Rick Steiner compared the shark and pinniped provision to Alaska’s predator control programs that target wolves and bears. “It’s certainly designed to increase shark culling, essentially, both internationally and in U.S. waters,” Steiner said by email, adding that charter boats could eventually start targeting and retaining sharks onboard.

Conversely, commercial and sportfishing representatives expressed optimism about potential funding and management changes. Andy Mezirow, a Seward sportfishing operator who formerly served on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, noted that predator impacts vary by region. While rivers in the Lower 48 and Hawaii face severe pressure from marine mammals and sharks, Alaska predators are generally well-fed, Mezirow said by phone.

Kim Landeen, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Guides Organization, said the order provides an opportunity to improve data collection and focus on fisheries health. Guided sportfishing in Southeast Alaska generated about $202 million in direct spending and supported roughly 1,750 jobs in 2024, according to McKinley Research Group data.

Habitat Restoration and Funding Shifts

The executive order also alters how federal agencies measure habitat restoration projects. John Chu, chief spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries, stated by email that the order shifts metrics toward production-based goals rather than the physical amount of habitat restored. “This shift ensures restoration efforts are enhancing fish populations and providing more recreational opportunities for the outdoor community,” Chu said.

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik to free up funds from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Established in 1950, the fund has generated over $12 billion from equipment taxes and fuel duties. Mezirow noted that accessing these funds could improve bank restoration, boat launch ramps, and artificial reef creation across Alaska.

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