NOAA Fisheries Seeks Feedback on
Improving U.S. Fisheries Management

Why does this matter to Alaska & AMCC?

 

Decisions made in D.C. ripple to our working waterfronts. This process is explicitly asking for ideas to reduce regulatory pain points, modernize science and data, and strengthen the seafood supply chain. For Alaska, that means ensuring that small-boat harvesters, coastal communities, and wild-capture sustainability are at the forefront.

 

What does NOAA want to know? 

 

NOAA seeks practical, fishery-specific input about:

• Regulations that could be suspended, revised, or rescinded.
   

• Challenges in specific fisheries and innovations (e.g., new gears/technologies) that would improve operations.
   

• Ways to improve management & science, including lower-cost tech, cooperative research, better real-time data use, and how to expand exempted fishing permit (EFP) programs to responsibly promote fishing opportunities.
   

• When possible, identify costs to government and/or industry associated with your recommendations.

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AMCC’s topline stance (for reference)

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AMCC supports science-based, conservation-first management and community-centered competitiveness. In brief, we urge NMFS to:

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• Safeguard wild fisheries and avoid “competitiveness” measures that degrade ecosystems or undercut wild stocks.
   

• Restore and expand federal investment in stock assessments, ocean/climate monitoring, observer coverage, and reliable weather and ocean forecasting for safety at sea.
   

• Support small-scale/independent fishermen through fair access to permits/quotas, streamlined compliance, and targeted technical assistance.
   

• Strengthen U.S. wild-caught marketing and traceability to combat fraud and create a level playing field with imports and aquaculture.
   

• Invest in infrastructure for fleets of all sizes, ensuring small and remote ports benefit.
   

• Ensure equitable engagement and access, distinguishing volume-based and value-based policy needs across fleet scales.

 

Talking points you can adapt (pick a few and add your story)

 

For small-boat harvesters

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• Explain how a specific regulation (cite the part/section if you can) creates disproportionate cost or delay for your operation and what precise change would fix it without weakening conservation.
   

• Describe on-the-water data gaps (e.g., stock status signals, bycatch hot spots, salmon returns) and how cooperative research or lower-cost tech could improve assessments and in-season responsiveness.
   

• Share how weather and ocean forecasting reliability affects your safety windows and decision-making; note where coverage/accuracy has slipped and why it matters.

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For processors & coastal businesses

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• Identify supply chain pinch points (tendering, cold storage, freight) where targeted federal investments would unlock value for remote ports and mixed-scale fleets.
   

• Support traceability that builds the U.S. wild-caught brand and combats fraud, while minimizing redundant paperwork for small operators.

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For Tribes, municipal leaders & working waterfront advocates

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• Connect community resilience and food security to stable access for small-scale fleets and local infrastructure (moorage, haul-outs, cranes, ice, storage).
   

• Urge equitable engagement so rural/Indigenous perspectives help shape any regulatory streamlining.

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For scientists & technologists

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• Recommend specific tools (vessel-mounted sensors, eDNA pilots, electronic monitoring improvements, harvester-led sampling) and how they would reduce costs and improve real-time management signals.
   

• Suggest EFP designs that test innovations safely (clear objectives, guardrails, performance standards). 

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Tip: NOAA specifically asks commenters to identify costs (to government and/or industry) where possible—add rough numbers or ranges and describe expected benefits. 

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How to submit a strong comment (step-by-step)

 

1. Email nmfs.seafoodstrategy@noaa.gov.
    

2. Subject line: E.O. 14276 Notice Response.
    

3. Introduce yourself (name, role, community, fishery).
    

4. Pick 2–4 concrete recommendations and:
    

   • Name the specific regulation/policy if relevant.
      

   • Explain the problem and your recommended change.
      

   • Include any costs, examples, data, or photos/charts you can share.
      

5. Close with contact details.
    

Deadline: Submit by Tue, Oct 14 — 11:59 p.m. EDT (7:59 p.m. AKDT). Federal Register.

 

Copy-paste email template you can customize

 

Subject: E.O. 14276 Notice Response

 

Dear NOAA Fisheries,

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I am [name], a [role] from [community/region] participating in the [fishery/sector]. Thank you for inviting input on implementing Executive Order 14276.

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1) Issue & recommended change:

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• Regulation/policy: [cite CFR, Council action, or policy if applicable]
   

• Problem on the water / in the supply chain: [brief, concrete]
   

• Proposed change: [specific, implementable]
   

• Estimated costs/savings: [numbers or ranges if you can]

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2) Science & data:

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• [Describe needed tech/co-op research, real-time data uses, and how it would improve safety, accuracy, or timeliness.]

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3) Community & competitiveness:

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• [Explain how this strengthens small-boat access, working waterfronts, local processing/transport, and the U.S. wild-caught brand.]

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Thank you for considering these recommendations. I’m available to discuss and provide additional details.

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Sincerely,
[name] | [affiliation] | [phone/email]

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Join a NOAA listening session (online)

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• Session A: Thu, Sept 25, 2025 — 4:30–5:30 p.m. EST
   

• Session B: Wed, Oct 1, 2025 — 4:30–5:30 p.m. EST
  Register via NOAA’s link.

AMCC’s Commitment

AMCC will weigh in to inform federal fisheries policy that protects access for small-boat fishermen, sustains healthy ecosystems, and strengthens Alaska’s working waterfronts. We encourage you to do the same.