Presidential Message on National Ocean Month

During National Ocean Month, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation highlighting the strategic and economic importance of the world’s oceans to the United States. The President outlined a multi-faceted agenda aimed at achieving "American maritime superiority" through deregulation, energy development, and a historic resurgence in shipbuilding.

Key highlights from the President’s message include:

The President emphasized his administration’s efforts to support the fishing industry by removing what he termed "needless regulations."

• • Atlantic Reopening: He noted the February 2026 decision to reopen nearly 5,000 square miles of restricted Atlantic waters to commercial fishing.

  • Reinvigorating Coastal Towns: This move is intended to support the local economies that serve as the "backbone" of America’s coastal communities.

The administration is positioning the ocean as a primary site for energy and supply chain security:

• • Gulf of America: The President described the Gulf of Mexico (referred to as the "Gulf of America") as the centerpiece of a new era of oil and gas development.

  • Outer Continental Shelf: The administration is expanding private-sector access to critical minerals located on the seabed, aimed at securing domestic supply chains.

A major pillar of the proclamation is the revitalization of American shipyards:

• • Commercial Resurgence: Under the Maritime Action Plan, the administration is working to modernize ports and ensure that major merchant vessels are once again "Made in America."

  • The "Golden Fleet": The President highlighted a historic naval shipbuilding effort to construct the "Golden Fleet" of advanced American warships. This initiative is designed to ensure the U.S. Navy remains the "most dominant fighting force ever to sail the seas."

As the United States commemorates its Semiquincentennial, the President framed the nation as the "world’s greatest seafaring power." He stated that the "oceans are open for business" and that American fishermen and energy workers are reclaiming their place at the forefront of the economy.

The President concluded by promising that his administration will ensure the oceans remain a "source of strength, prosperity, and success." By combining energy dominance with naval superiority, the administration aims to usher in a "New Golden Age" of American maritime power.

1. Unleashing Economic Power through Deregulation2. Energy and Mineral Dominance3. Rebuilding the Maritime Fleet4. Seafaring Dominance and the 250th AnniversaryConclusion