Gulf Commercial Fisheries Summit: Building a Strong Future for the Seafood Industry

Texas Representatives from the Gulf Commercial Fisheries Summit named from left to right: Tricia and Kyle Kimball, Bubba Cochrane, Billy Wright, Nikki Fitzgerald, Matt Kammann, Maria Jaross and Laura Picariello.

The Gulf of America commercial seafood industry took a major step toward unity and collaboration this fall during the Gulf Commercial Fisheries Summit, held Sept. 17–18, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 60 representatives from across all five Gulf states—fishermen, processors, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal agencies gathered to discuss shared challenges, identify opportunities, and chart a path toward a more sustainable and profitable future for the region’s seafood industry.

The Summit was hosted by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Louisiana Sea Grant and Texas Sea Grant. Texas Sea Grant’s Nikki Fitzgerald, Matthew Kammann, Laura Picariello, and Mallory Shetley were there to help guide discussions and support the exchange of ideas among stakeholders. Texas Sea Grant helped facilitate and moderate the meeting, ensuring that the concerns and priorities of the commercial seafood sector were represented in the Gulf-wide conversation.

The two-day meeting was designed to bring together a historically fragmented industry and lay the groundwork for a unified voice capable of influencing policy, improving public perception, and strengthening the market for U.S.-caught seafood.

Using pre-meeting surveys, live polling, and breakout discussions, attendees identified key issues that are limiting growth and resilience in the Gulf’s commercial fishing industry. Among the most pressing were seafood imports and labeling, public education and consumer trust, labor shortages, working waterfront preservation, and fair representation in fisheries management.

Despite the breadth of challenges, optimism was a defining theme. Participants worked collaboratively to identify the top three priorities for collective action over the next three years:

1. Inclusion of commercial fisheries in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Bill, to ensure fishermen are recognized and supported as food producers.
2. Strengthening country-of-origin labeling laws, so consumers can make informed choices about their seafood.
3. Improving recreational fisheries data and accountability, to promote fair and science based management decisions.

A highlight of the Summit was the clear consensus on the need for a formal Gulf seafood coalition, a unified organization that could coordinate advocacy, amplify shared priorities, and speak with one strong voice on behalf of the region’s diverse fisheries. The majority of participants expressed strong interest in forming and actively participating in such a coalition, viewing it as an essential next step for long-term industry stability and influence.

Texas Sea Grant’s involvement throughout the Summit underscored its ongoing commitment to supporting the commercial fishing community. From helping coordinate industry input before the event to facilitating discussions on key issues during the sessions, Texas Sea Grant played an essential role in fostering collaboration across state lines and ensuring the perspectives of fishermen were front and center.

The success of the Gulf Commercial Fisheries Summit demonstrated that when the Gulf’s seafood community comes together, meaningful progress can be made. The energy and cooperation that emerged in New Orleans point to a promising future, one where fishermen, and industry leaders from across the Gulf unite to build a sustainable, profitable, and proudly domestic seafood industry.

As the conversations that began in New Orleans continue, Texas Sea Grant remains committed to helping guide the next steps. With strong partnerships and shared purpose, the vision of a Gulf-wide seafood coalition is well within reach, and with it, a brighter, more unified future for the region’s commercial fisheries.

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About Texas Sea Grant

Texas Sea Grant is a unique partnership that unites the resources of the federal government, the State of Texas and universities across the state to create knowledge, tools, products and services that benefit the economy, the environment and the citizens of Texas. It is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is one of 34 university-based Sea Grant Programs around the country. Texas Sea Grant is a non-academic research center at Texas A&M University. The program’s mission is to improve the understanding, wise use and stewardship of Texas coastal and marine resources.