Murphy Applauds Trump Executive Order Opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument for Fishing

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, June 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating restrictions on fishing the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the coast of New England. Fishing in these areas was prohibited after an executive order issued by former President Barrack Obama. Prior to the Obama executive order, the waters were regulated by regional fishery management councils. The Trump executive order simply allows these councils to manage these waters again.

Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) issued the following statement in reaction.

"We here in eastern North Carolina welcome the president's executive order today opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument," said Murphy. "Although these waters are hundreds of miles away, this action will have a tremendous effect on the many commercial fishermen in our state, and America's seafood supply chain. Over 90 percent of the fish we eat is imported. Foreign fishermen come on and play by a different set of rules. We are just leveling the playing field for U.S. fishermen.

"Many fishermen in North Carolina travel north to fish tuna and swordfish. By loosening these restrictions, we'll see several positive effects and our fishermen will have the opportunity to increase the number of fish they can catch.

"And finally, it will help us better secure America's seafood supply chain. For a country that is blessed to have two oceans, the largest lakes in the world, and countless other bodies of water, the United States imports far too much seafood. I applaud the Trump Administration for taking the right steps to ensure that our supply chain is secure while also looking at the scientific data to ensure that we protect our resources and do not overfish."