Fisherman Who Voted for Trump Three Times Says He'd Switch as Costs and Canada Trade Fight Squeeze Industry

John Evich voted for Donald Trump three times, believing he would stand up for America's fishing industry. But rising diesel prices and trade tensions with Canada are putting pressure on commercial fishing businesses, leaving the Washington and Alaska fisherman open to supporting another candidate.

'If somebody came along that was going to do a better job, I would vote for them in a heartbeat,' Evich told the Associated Press in a report published earlier this month.

Evich is among the fishermen questioning whether Trump's policies are delivering the support they expected. Higher operating costs, uncertainty over cross-border trade and proposed cuts to federal fisheries programmes are adding to the industry's financial pressures ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

'Having those costs be so much higher this year has really undermined the viability of some of our fisheries,' said Linda Behnken, an Alaska fisherman and executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association.

Rising Diesel Prices Squeeze Fishing Businesses

Diesel prices have climbed into the $6-per-gallon range, compared with less than $4 a year earlier, increasing costs for an industry heavily dependent on fuel.

Higher prices leave fishermen with less money for crew payments, equipment and maintenance, making some trips financially unviable. Rhode Island fisherman Chris Brown, who catches species including fluke and squid, expressed his frustration sarcastically.

'It's huge. It's crazy. Thank you, Donald Trump,' Brown told the AP.

However, fuel prices cannot be attributed to a single policy. Global energy-market disruptions, including the conflict involving Iran, have also contributed to higher costs. For commercial operators, the immediate challenge is whether the value of a catch can justify the expense of going to sea.

Canada Trade Tensions Threaten Seafood Markets

Trade tensions with Canada have added uncertainty for businesses dependent on cross-border markets, processing facilities and equipment suppliers.

Canada is the US's largest seafood trading partner, and the two countries have closely connected fishing industries. Although Canada excluded American fish and seafood products from its retaliatory tariffs, broader trade tensions continue to worry businesses operating across the border.

Steve Train, a Maine lobster fisherman who describes himself as a 'right-leaning centrist', warned that businesses could be caught between the two governments.

'I get the standing up to a bully concept, but too many people will be caught in the middle of this,' Train told the AP.

He called on both countries to reconsider their tariffs. The concern extends beyond duties themselves. Changes in trade arrangements can affect buyers, processing operations and access to the equipment needed to keep vessels working.

Proposed NOAA Funding Cuts Add to Uncertainty

Proposed reductions in federal funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have raised further concerns. The Trump administration's fiscal 2027 budget proposal would reduce funding for NOAA Fisheries by 37% compared with fiscal 2026 enacted levels, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The proposed cuts could affect scientific research, fisheries management, enforcement and staffing, although the final outcome depends on the congressional budget process. Fishermen rely on scientific assessments to understand fish stocks, comply with regulations and plan their operations.

Weather forecasting is another concern. Staffing reductions have affected weather-data collection, including some weather-balloon observations conducted by NOAA's National Weather Service. These observations contribute to forecasting systems used to assess conditions at sea.

Seafood industry analyst John Sackton, founder of SeafoodNews.com, said changes to fisheries science, weather reporting and trade policy, alongside rising operating costs, had created uncertainty for the sector. The potential consequences extend beyond government spending. Disruptions to research, fisheries management or forecasting could affect the information commercial operators need to plan trips and manage risks.

Can Trump's Fishing Policies Retain Industry Support?

Trump has sought support from commercial fishermen through deregulation and expanded fishing access. In June 2020, during his first term, Trump removed commercial fishing restrictions in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the New England coast.

Former President Joe Biden restored the restrictions in October 2021, before Trump moved to remove them again in February 2026. NOAA subsequently rescinded the corresponding fishing regulation in April.

These actions reflect an approach that has appealed to some fishermen who favour fewer restrictions. However, support for deregulation does not necessarily outweigh concerns about fuel costs, trade uncertainty or potential reductions in fisheries services.

With the November midterm elections approaching, economic pressures facing fishing communities could become an issue for voters weighing the administration's record. Evich's comments illustrate how some longtime Trump supporters are reassessing their political choices, although they do not establish a broader shift across the industry.