WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy), the independent voice for small businesses within the executive branch, has added key regulatory issues burdening America’s fishermen to its Small Businesses’ Most Wanted Reform list.
On Monday, March 16, Advocacy continued its months-long engagement with the U.S. commercial fishing industry by participating in panel discussions during the 2026 Seafood Expo North America, a three-day international event with approximately 15,000 attendees in Boston, MA.
During the discussions, fishermen and seafood processors shared their experiences of how federal rules are negatively impacting their ability to operate their businesses profitably and safely. Federal regulations inhibit their ability to purchase new equipment and vessels, modernize their fishing boats, and compete with seafood sourced outside of the United States.
Two of the issues raised, onboard observer requirements and the designation of marine sanctuaries and national monuments, were raised by Advocacy in an October 14, 2025, letter responding to President Donald Trump’s executive order, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. Today, those rules have been added to Advocacy’s Most Wanted Reform list and are highlighted in a blog post featuring U.S. fishermen.
Rescinding the marine sanctuary and national monument regulations could generate a cost savings of $9.7B for small businesses, per estimates from Advocacy. Revising the onboard monitoring observations rule would save $180,900 per small business.
“The opportunity to once again hear directly from our nation’s fishing community marked another positive step toward cutting the red tape hurting one of our nation’s oldest industries,” said Chip Bishop, Deputy Chief Counsel for Advocacy, who spoke at the event. “I look forward to sharing the information Advocacy received with federal agencies and continuing our work to provide America’s fishermen with regulatory relief.”
Advocacy’s New England Regional Advocate, Janet Fogarty, has been hearing these issues and more over the past year. “There are so many regulatory issues facing the commercial fishing industry, and these issues are at the forefront of my conversations. This industry is of paramount importance to our country, not just for national security but also for our economy. We should be trying to make their work easier, not harder,” said Fogarty.
Advocacy first launched the Most Wanted List on January 7 and has already seen progress in reforming multiple items. Advocacy’s role in elevating small business voices to federal agencies is key to driving progress.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is an independent voice for small business within the executive branch. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.