NOAA Approves Foreign Crab Imports

WBOC, NOAA lifts crab import bans from key countries following Eastern Shore seafood industry pushback

A federal seafood dispute that Eastern Shore seafood companies warned could devastate crab supply chains has now taken a new turn Monday, with federal regulators officially allowing imports from certain countries to continue.

As WBOC previously reported, local seafood companies including Salisbury-based Handy Seafood, Cebu Pacific LLC, and Byrd International joined a federal lawsuit late last year challenging new restrictions tied to the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. The companies argued the rules threatened jobs, production, and the nation’s crab supply because much of the pasteurized crab meat sold in the United States comes from Southeast Asia.

Asian Swimming Crabs

 

Now, NOAA Fisheries says it has completed a new review of several swimming crab fisheries after a federal court temporarily paused the import restrictions.

According to NOAA, the agency has now granted “comparability findings” to swimming crab fisheries in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, allowing crab and crab products from those fisheries to continue entering the United States. NOAA upheld its denial of comparability findings for swimming crab fisheries in the Philippines, however, with a ban going into effect in June.

The decision stems from the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s seafood import provisions, which require foreign fisheries exporting seafood to the U.S. to meet marine mammal protection standards comparable to those required of American fisheries. Fisheries denied those findings faced import bans at the beginning of the year.

The original lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, argued NOAA’s earlier determinations could eliminate nearly 90% of the blue swimming crab available to the U.S. market and severely impact seafood processors on the Eastern Shore and beyond.

So remember, when you buy packaged crabs, in all likelihood, it's foreign.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Rebel Yell up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Despite the Noise Economy Booms

At Hat Hair, Capt. Ed says Don't Look Now, But the Economy's Kinda ... Booming. Media Research Center @theMRC "Inflation Eases to Four-Year Low in April; Income and Savings Rate Spike." Catturd ™ @catturd2, "Just so you know … The S&P500 had the best May since 1990. Panicans hardest hit" and Catturd ™ @catturd2 "Oh really. Imagine that. Trump was right again." Quote Election Wizard @ElectionWiz, "BREAKING: Despite concerns about tariff-related inflation, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation indicator has fallen to a four-year low." Sundance at CTH, Inflation Drops to 2.1%, Personal Income Tripled Expectations, U.S. Trade Deficit Drops by 46 Percent. Tampa Freep, CNBC’s Rick Santelli Floored By How Much Trade Deficit Was Slashed In Wake Of Trump’s Tariffs. Salena Zito at Hat Hair claims Trump Makes the Deal of a Lifetime for US Steel. Sundance reports German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Meet with President Trump in White House Next Week. "I predict we will hear a talking point from Merz, in generally German snark, something akin to a proposal for a zero-tariff base on the import and export of heavy industrial goods (machinery) for both Germany and the USA. I say in general German snark because passive-aggressive Chancellor Merz knows the U.S. is currently not in a position to sell Germany heavy industrial goods, and that’s entirely what President Trump is trying to recreate with the trade/tariff policy." The Peacock whines the EU is ‘prepared to impose countermeasures’ after Trump doubles steel tariffs to 50%. At WUWT, Trump’s Tariffs Might Be the Green Policy Nobody Saw Coming.

From Politico, Hegseth warns Asia allies that China threat is ‘imminent’, "The U.S. defense secretary went to Singapore to reinforce alliances, and admonish allies about security spending." and EU’s Kallas welcomes Trump’s ‘tough love’ on arms spending. "“It’s love nonetheless, so it’s better than no love,” EU’s chief diplomat says at a defense forum in Singapore." Elon Musk @elonmusk "Jamie Dimon is right." Quote Geiger Capital @Geiger_Capital "Jamie Dimon is not fucking around today… “China is an adversary, but what I really worry about is the enemy within. Can we get our own act together, our own values and capabilities. This time is different… we have to get our act together and quickly.”" Capt. Ed wonders is the New US-Israeli Aid System a Gaza Game-Changer?, cut out the middleman, Hamas. The Great Victor Davis at Hat Hair has a video, Trump Recognized South Africa Is Not Our Friend. WaEx reports Stephen Miller ‘eviscerated’ ICE officials in private meeting for low deportation numbers.

Atop Da Hill, Trump pulls nomination for NASA administrator. “It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.” From the Remodern Review, President Trump Abruptly Fires Director of the National Portrait Gallery… ‘Highly Partisan Person and Strong Supporter of DEI’ "“’Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am herby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery. She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position. Her replacement will be named shortly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’ Trump said on Truth Social on Friday. “Kim Sajet’s X feed is full of BLM praise and toxic leftism.”"

From Da Mail a Heartbreaking health update for little boy who stole Trump's heart and won over America. "A young boy battling brain cancer who stole the hearts of the nation when President Trump made him an honorary Secret Service member has developed more tumors, his family has said." Beege Welborn at Hat Hair says Never let Democrats forget they couldn't stand for this little man. NEVER let them."

Sarah Arnold at TownHall thinks Biden’s Latest Cancer Comments Raise Eyebrows. "“The expectation is we're going to be able to beat this. There's no — it's not in any organ, my bones are strong, it hasn't penetrated,” he told reporters." Pretty much contradicting the "official" statements. Althouse posts Joe Biden speaks to the press — a bit mumblingly — for 3 1/2 minutes. ""You can see that I'm mentally incompetent, I can't walk," he wisecracks. "And I could beat the hell out of both of them," he says — about Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, the co-authors of that book about Biden's decline." Dave Strom at Hat Hair, Tapper's Ratings Hurt By His Book? Seems So... Jim Treacher, Everybody Hates Jake, "Except Jake." Katie Jerkovich at RedState sees Karoline Leavitt Smokes Jill Biden Over Involvement in Biden Coverup—'She's Still Lying'. From the Pop Times, Biden Doctor, Staffers Subpoenaed as His Health Cover-Up Scandal Grows. Amanda Head at JTN reports Energy group says Biden had no knowledge of climate change EOs, doubt validity of autopen use "The prolific use of the White House autopen during the Biden administration -- combined with what we now know about his media enablers covering-up his incapacities -- has groups calling into question the validity of his directives and actions as president."

At Hat Hair, Chloe Trapanotto has a video Democrats Are Bleeding Male Voters. They Just Made It Way Worse. Sarah Arnold at TownHall, Dems Use Obese Woman to Court Male Voters. Stephen Soukup on Democrats and Men. "Democrats are spending $20 million to win back men—but until they understand what men actually want, they’ll keep buying maps without learning the terrain." Dave Strom gives A One Minute Lesson On Democrats' Suicidal Empathy Problem. Eric Schmitt@Eric_Schmitt, "Americans murdered in Baltimore? Silence. A criminal illegal alien deported? Stop the presses. That's the modern Left's ideology—anarcho-tyranny. Freedom for criminals, and oppression for law-abiding citizens." From Da Caller, As Republicans Pass Tax Cuts, Democrats Propose ‘Disability Reproductive Equity Day.’ At OTP, Wait, Did Cory Booker Just Give A ‘Nazi’ Salute To California Democrats?

WATCH: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivers a salute at the California Democratic Party Convention. pic.twitter.com/1lCTbFfNlU

— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) May 31, 2025

NewsNationNow claims FEMA, White House covered up East Palestine devastation: Exclusive.

Jacqueline Annis Levings at De Fed reports the Judge Blocking Trump’s Harvard Efforts Was Previously Overturned By SCOTUS For Pro-Harvard Ruling. There ought to be some kind of penalty for judges who repeatedly defy the Supes. Make them wear a striped robe or something. From Althouse, "I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations... This is something that cannot be forgotten!..." ""I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use the Federalist Society as a recommending source on judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real ‘sleazebag’ named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions." Wrote Donald Trump, quoted in "Trump, Bashing the Federalist Society, Asserts Autonomy on Judge Picks/The president has grown increasingly angry at court rulings blocking parts of his agenda, including by judges he appointed" (NYT)." Now Democrats will demand that he keep picking from his old list.

Sundance hosts Tucker Carlson Interviews Glenn Greenwald – Segment on Epstein’s Intel Ties and Kash/Bongino’s Status and notes Details Surface of FBI Record System Containing “Prohibited Access” Files, Exclusively Controlled by 7th Floor FBI Officials. "Within the Sentinel system there are “Restricted Access” files that are used to control who can view the file information. The FBI official can see the file but cannot access the information within it without a higher clearance level. However, now people are discovering there is a “Prohibited Access” designation that makes the file invisible to searches or queries and is controlled by the FBI Director and FBI Deputy Director." "Margot Cleveland is asking some good questions about how the use of the “Prohibited Access” designation may circumvent the FBI’s legal requirements (brady material) and FOIA searches. [SEE HERE] However, I would also note this approach hides information not only from congress and from the public, but also from the Executive branch itself. The DNI wouldn’t even know what information exists." At JTN Nick Ballasay reports Bongino outlines 'important cultural changes' taking place at FBI "The accountability process is ongoing as we move disciplined, and focused, leaders into critical positions in the field. And, we are removing employees who have violated their oaths, and those who invited partisanship into the workplace. The process is ongoing, and will not stop," Bongino says" and Steve Richards has Declassified FBI memo sheds new light on Clinton's fingerprints, cash on Trump-Russia probe. "The FBI determined that Fusion GPS -- hired by Clinton's campaign -- likely served as a coordinating hub for creating several bogus Trump-Russia dossiers, and noted an unusually cozy relationship between Fusion GPS and the Department of Justice." Capt. Ed, Derp State: The Counter-Intel Spy Who Came In From the TDS.

From Fox, These are the biggest moves Elon Musk made while running DOGE. "Elon Musk ended his tenure at the White House following months of directing DOGE." At ET, Musk Says He’ll Remain ‘Friend and Adviser’ to Trump After Departing as Special Government Employee. "‘This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning,’ Musk said." Althouse, "Was it all bullshit?" — Trump asked, about Elon Musk's promise to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget. "We're told in "Inside Trump and Musk’s Complicated Relationship/The president and his aides have sometimes expressed frustration with Musk, but his advisers say the two remain close" (Wall Street Journal)(no paywall encountered). We're also told Trump has called Musk "50% genius, 50% boy" or perhaps it was "90% genius, 10% boy."" He certainly has big boy toys. And, Why did Elon Musk choose to be seen — in the Oval Office — with a black eye?, "It must be considered a CHOICE, because — if it was a real black eye — he could have had a makeup expert conceal it completely and undetectably. If he didn't have a real black eye, then he could and did have a makeup expert create one for him. So I think he wanted to send a message. Perhaps: This job has battered me, but I stand by my man. Perhaps: I'm a fighter, and I can take the blows... fight fight fight. ADDED: Or maybe just: Here, go down this rathole. It means nothing, you puny idiots. Boy genius is mystifying you again." John Sexton at Hat Hair takes on Bono, Rogan, Rubio and Musk on USAID Funding. Let Act Blue fund what USAID was funding. From Hollywood in Toto sees Whoopi Goldberg Mocks Arson Attacks on Tesla Dealerships "Far-left showcase sinks to new low while sliming Elon Musk, President Trump."

Mike LaChance at LI agrees with me, It’s Way Past Time to Defund PBS and NPR. “We do not seek to favor any political party at all. We seek to ensure that Americans have a wide range of perspectives available to them” she lied. 

Fox reports Jewish students walk out after MIT commencement speaker accuses university of aiding Israel's 'genocide' "Class of 2025 president Megha M. Vemuri was banned by the university from Friday's undergraduate degree ceremony after her disruptive address." 

From Pop Times, Seattle Police Furious After City Forces Christian Rally Into Antifa Extremist’s Stronghold. Bob Hoge at RedState, Trans Activist Attacks Conservative at Controversial California Track Championship—Pays a Heavy Price. Oreo Express @OreoExpress "I was targeted and violently assaulted today by transtifa when me and my family were leaving the CIF State Championship @ Veterans Memorial Stadium This person called me out by name before striking me multiple times with their flag pole. Fortunately I was able to pepper spray them and police had seen the incident and took the they/them into custody. Transtifa is violent." Oreo Express@OreoExpress, "Charges for Ethan Kroll are officially in the system. 1 felony, and 2 misdemeanors. This labels Ethan as a male, but being housed in a female block. #Clovis #CIF #NoBoysInGirlsSports." At Twitchy, Blowhard Troll Says Lawyer Julie Hamill Should Be DISBARRED for 'Misgendering' and 'Transphobia' on CNN. At Breitbart, Trans Teen Dominates Competition at Minneapolis Girls’ Softball Championship. Collin Rugg @CollinRugg, "NEW: Biological male Marissa Rothenberger pitches a shutout to advance to the Class 4A softball state tournament in Minnesota. Rothenberger “changed” genders at age nine and now towers over the female competition. The trans player demolished the defending champs in back-to-back games thanks to his masculine features. Last week, three female high school softball players filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota for forcing them to play against biological males. No surprise this is going on in Tim Walz’s state." Da Caller reports the YMCA Scrubs Trans Guidance After Parent Group Uproar.

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Marginal Victory on time and under budget.

Reasons #6417 - #6418 that Trump was Elected

Illegal immigrant crossings fall 78% and once overcrowded cells are empty

There are a lot of statistics Mark A. Morgan, acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner, uses to show how Trump policies have helped to cut illegal immigration into the United States.

But there are two that he feels really make clear the victory his agency has had in the past year, and he highlighted them in a small meeting Tuesday.

First is daily apprehensions, a number that hit 4,600 at the height of the latest crisis in May. That has now dropped to 1,300.

What’s more, he said, the 21-daily average is below 1,000, a 78% cut. “That’s a dramatic reduction,” he said, in updating the numbers released last week.

Then there are the numbers of illegal immigrants “in custody.” That was a horrific 20,000 in May for an agency that has just 4,000 beds.

Now a quarter of those beds are unused.

“We were having those conversations back then about how the system was overwhelmed, there was overcrowding. We’re just not experiencing that now,” Morgan said.

“Currently, right now, what we’re seeing is our in-custody numbers right now are actually below 3,000, and it has been steady for the past few weeks,” he said.

Senate Ratifies USMCA Trade Agreement with 89-10 Vote…

In advance of the Senate beginning the impeachment trial of President Trump, the upper chamber ratified the USMCA trade agreement with an 89-10 vote. The agreement now moves to the White House where President Trump will sign it.

The final ratification is the result of two-years worth of renegotiated trade reform, and the outcome gained bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The only republican senator who voted against the deal was Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania who is concerned the USMCA will weaken the position of Wall Street multinationals.

Nine democrat senators did not support the agreement because there wasn’t enough verbiage to support their climate change priorities, and the USMCA does not align with the Paris Climate Accord. [Vote Tally Here]

Reason #6972 That Trump Was Elected

China cuts tariffs on 700 more items

In its third round of tariff cuts this year, China announced that 700 more goods will have tariffs cut. Bloomberg reports:

China announced another round of tariff cuts, lowering import taxes on more than 700 goods from Jan. 1 as part of its efforts to open up the economy and lower costs for domestic consumers.

No doubt, that’s what they say. And it is true that domestic consumers will benefit from lower cost access to foreign goods. But, is President Trump’s pressure on China not a factor? I am sorry, but I can’t accept the notion that Trump is irrelevant to the decision.

In the minds of Democrats and the globalist Republican elites, America is a big, rich country who can afford to subsidize the rest of the world, including China. China was more than happy to accept our  charity, and act selfishly on its own behalf. Most of the Donald's campaign message was to strike better, fairer deals abroad and China figured prominently in that view. He won, by the grace of god, and narrow margins in three states, and has been studiously trying to effect the change he promised, and it looks like it's starting to work. It's worth some short term pain to achieve.

Reason #6661 That Trump Was Elected

Ace:

LOL: Anti-Free-Trade Trump's Hardball Positioning Forces Europe to Offer to Cut Its Automoblie Tariffs From 10% to Zero Percent (If the US Reciprocates)

The US only imposes 2.5% tariffs on most vehicles. Thought it imposes a much stiffer 25% tariff on light trucks. I don't know if the EU makes many of those, though.

It's almost as if refusing to play the sap for someone treating you unfairly sometimes forces them to start treating you more fairly.

Not yet tired of winning.

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links.

Reason #6660 That Trump Was Elected

S&P 500, Nasdaq jump to record highs as US and Mexico strike trade deal

Stocks jumped on Monday as the United States and Mexico closed a new trade deal, potentially removing a source of uncertainty that had been plaguing investors for months.

The S&P 500 gained 0.8 percent to close at 2,896.74 — a record high — with materials and financials as the best-performing sectors. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.9 percent to an all-time high, breaking above 8,000 points for the first time, as Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Alphabet rose. Tech's gains led the Nasdaq to close at 8,017.90.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 259.29 points to 26,049.64 as Caterpillar outperformed. Monday also marked the first time since Feb. 1 that the Dow closed above 26,000.

It turns out other countries are willing to strike fairer trade deals with the US if the President is willing to push for them.

President Donald Trump said the deal would be called The United States-Mexico Trade agreement, leaving behind the 24-year-old NAFTA name. "The name NAFTA has a bad connotation because the United States was hurt very badly by NAFTA," he said. Trump added that the deal with Mexico is also very helpful for farmers and manufacturers. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the deal must be approved by Congress before being implemented.

The comment comes after Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said Sunday both countries were close to resolving key differences on trade. This would pave the way for a new deal between the two longtime trade partners. "We've continued making progress," Guajardo said.

And Canada?  Canada is likely to agree to a NAFTA deal with the US this week, business council says

Canada will restart official talks with the United States on Tuesday in the hope that an updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will be signed off in the coming days.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland is in Washington to continue negotiations, following the news that Mexico and the U.S. have already reached an agreement that rewrites the trilateral trade pact, first ratified in 1994.

That agreement has been hailed by President Donald Trump as "a big day for trade," sending U.S. stocks to fresh all-time highs Monday, with Asian equities also propelling higher Tuesday.

Maryscott Greenwood, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council (CABC), told CNBC on Tuesday that she thought Canada would join the arrangement and could even finalize a new NAFTA deal this week.

"There is only a handful of tough issues left. Mexico is already there. I think we can get there this week, I really do," she said, before cautioning that this week's trilateral talks would be "harsh" and "intensive."