THE CENTER SQUARE — Charter captains, commercial fishermen and recreational fishing advocates launched a national campaign this week urging President Donald Trump to issue an executive order restricting foreign industrial fishing in U.S. waters.

The campaign calls for new protections to defend American jobs, marine ecosystems and the future of coastal communities.

The campaign, titled “Make America Fish Again,” was introduced this week at a virtual news conference with participants from Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana and other coastal states. Organizers say foreign-controlled fleets are overharvesting forage fish like menhaden, herring and mackerel. These small schooling species serve as prey for larger predators such as striped bass, tuna and whales.

They are asking President Donald T

See Full Page