In 1977, the U.S. implemented a 200-mile limit for its exclusive economic zone, significantly impacting foreign fishing fleets. This enforcement aimed to protect domestic fishing industries and manage marine resources more effectively. The establishment of this limit reflected growing concerns about overfishing and the need for sustainable practices in ocean management. The policy has had lasting implications for international maritime law and the governance of ocean resources.

The enforcement of the U.S. 200-mile limit in 1977 affected domestic industry narratives in American working poetry. Poets like Gwendolyn Brooks explored the implications of this policy on labor and identity, reflecting the struggles of working-class communities in a changing economic landscape.