Support weakens before the midterms
Commercial fishermen who once viewed President Donald Trump as an ally are reconsidering their support. Rising fuel costs, trade tensions and federal cutbacks now strain their businesses. For example, John Evich fishes in Washington and Alaska and voted for Trump three times. He said he would quickly support someone else who could do a better job for the industry.
This dissatisfaction could hurt Republicans in competitive House and Senate races in Alaska, Washington and Maine. Moreover, fishermen say higher operating expenses have weakened some fisheries. The administration still promises fewer regulations and other industry-friendly policies.
Trump has courted the sector for years by expanding fishing access and challenging regulations. He also reversed protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument. In fact, a 2026 NOAA survey found that 70% of commercial fishing crews considered fishing rules too restrictive.
Fuel prices and trade create pressure
Diesel now costs around $6 per gallon, compared with less than $4 a year ago. Prices rose during the war with Iran. Because nearly the entire U.S. commercial fleet uses marine diesel, owners cannot avoid the increase. As a result, fuel costs determine whether boats leave the dock, what crews earn and whether vessels receive necessary maintenance.
Meanwhile, trade hostilities with Canada have added uncertainty. Canada exempted U.S. fish and seafood from its counter-tariffs. However, fishermen remain concerned because Canada is the United States’ largest seafood trading partner. The country also supports seafood processing and fishing-gear manufacturing. In addition, American and Canadian crews operate near one another when catching species such as lobster and salmon.
Industry members warn that a prolonged dispute could harm markets even without direct seafood tariffs. Maine lobsterman Steve Train said he understood the goal of standing up to another country. Nevertheless, he argued that too many people could be caught between both sides. Therefore, he urged the countries to reconsider the tariffs soon.
NOAA cuts reduce essential support
Proposed reductions of more than 40% to NOAA Fisheries’ fiscal 2027 budget would affect scientific programs, fisheries management and data collection. Staff cuts have already made the agency slower to respond, according to fishermen, while fewer weather balloons have limited information that crews rely on at sea.
Alaska fisherman Linda Behnken said remaining agency employees are being asked to handle the work of several people, especially within weather services. Although she expressed sympathy for those workers, she said uncertainty surrounding their jobs makes it difficult to retain qualified staff and leaves fishermen frustrated with the support they receive.
References
Whittle, P. (2026, October 2). Trump tried to make allies of fishermen. Some are turning on him. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fishing-election-midterms-60db38a75fe3f96c15b209b190e3e6db