US authorities say the new areas off the California and Texas coasts aim to boost domestic seafood production, reduce reliance on imports, and create jobs.
Eugenio Piñeiro Soler will now take over the helm of the USA's marine fisheries and conservation agency, amid reports that the Trump administration plans to "defund" it.
Memo leaked to US media indicates Trump administration plans to defund NOAA Fisheries, end the Sea Grant program, and slash overall NOAA funding by USD 1.6 billion.