Make America Fish Again Targets Industrial Overfishing

A coalition of charter captains, commercial fishermen, and recreational fishing advocates launched a national campaign this week, pressing President Donald Trump to issue an executive order to restrict foreign industrial fishing in U.S. waters, with Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay at the heart of the debate. Named “Make America Fish Again,” the campaign seeks to protect American jobs, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities by curbing overharvesting of forage fish like menhaden, a critical food source for species such as striped bass, tuna, and whales.

Introduced during a virtual news conference with participants from Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, and other coastal states, the campaign targets foreign-controlled fleets accused of depleting menhaden through industrial practices like midwater trawling and reduction fishing. Organizers are calling for a ban on these methods, science-based catch limits from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and prioritized access for domestic fleets. “Only the Lord can save more fish than Donald Trump,” said Capt. Vinnie Calabro, a commercial striped bass fisherman and charter operator, emphasizing the campaign’s bold appeal.

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