(Columbus, N.J., August 3, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development, Office of Seafood, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resource Conservation Service, together with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and New Jersey Department of Agriculture have announced the second “Seafood Industry Perspectives: A Collaborative Listening Session” focusing on gathering perspectives from New Jersey’s local seafood sector. These insights, which come directly from the fishing industry, are essential in understanding the current landscape and identifying ways federal and state partners can better support this important industry. The discussion will focus on challenges facing New Jersey’s seafood industry, opportunities for growth and innovation, and industry support needs.
The Office of Seafood prioritizes customer service and ease of navigation for American seafood cultivators, producers, and processors to access programs offered by USDA and other federal agencies. With the creation of the USDA Office of Seafood, the federal government now enters a new era of seafood policy where American fishermen are recognized as a key part of the U.S. food supply.
“The Office of Seafood is leading the charge to protect the quality, integrity, and sustainability of the seafood reaching our communities, safeguarding public health while fueling a stronger, more resilient food supply,” said USDA Rural Development New Jersey State Director Richard Stern. “By partnering with the Office of Seafood, we’re engaging directly with New Jersey’s seafood producers to strengthen support, drive innovation, and advance this vital industry.”
“America’s commercial fisheries generate over $180 billion in sales and over 1.5 million jobs in the United States”, said Office of Seafood Director Mike Illenberg. “The seafood sector includes businesses ranging from small boat and farm operators to large-scale operations. The hardworking individuals in the sector are vitally important to our rural coastal communities’ economies and American society. They provide safe, nutritious foods, and their feedback and shared experiences are central to making America healthy again.
“The Trump SBA under Administrator Kelly Loeffler is proud to partner with USDA in their regional seafood listening sessions to ensure the voices of commercial fishermen and seafood processors are heard and acted upon,” said SBA Regional Administrator Matt Coleman. “The SBA Office of Advocacy is driving regulatory reform so these industries can spend more time harvesting and processing premium, wild caught American seafood and less time buried in red tape,”
The USDA Office of Seafood will play an important role in coordinating with the U.S. Department of Commerce in the development of President Trump’s America First Seafood Strategy to promote production, marketing, sale, and export of U.S. fishery and aquaculture products and strengthen domestic processing capacity.
Interested seafood providers can register to participate in the second virtual Seafood Industry Perspectives: A Collaborative Listening Session on September 15 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
For additional information, email seafood@usda.gov or visit www.usda.gov/seafood.
About USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development is committed to improving the economy and quality of life in rural America. Through loan, grant and loan guarantee programs, USDA assists communities with infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.
Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov, subscribe to GovDelivery updates, and follow us on X at @RD_NewJersey.
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