Bipartisan legislation proposing a national program to train and assist young commercial fishermen has been introduced in Congress by Rep. Don Young, R-AK and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-MA.
The Young Fishermen’s Development Act of 2017, H.R. 2079, would establish the first national program to support young men and women entering the commercial fishing industry with grants of up to $200,000, a total of $2 million annually, through NOAA’s Sea Grant Program.
“This legislation is about supporting the livelihoods that support entire fishing communities in Alaska and around the country,” Young said.
This legislation would help sustain the fishing industry by ensuring young people not only a future in fishing, but that they are empowered with the training and resources necessary to thrive in the 21st century economy, Moulton said.
Young and Moulton said the legislation marks a big step forward in the Fishing Communities Coalition’s push for a coordinated, nationwide effort to train, educate and assist the next generation of commercial fishermen.
“Young understands the challenges young fishermen face, and we thank him for his strong leadership on this vital issue,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, in Sitka. “Empowering the next generation of young fishermen is essential to economic opportunity, food security and our way of life.”
John Pappalardo, chief executive officer of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, said his organization looks forward to working with Moulton and Young to ensure the next generation of commercial fishermen are on the water, ready to sustainably harvest America’s seafood.
At this time there is not a single federal program dedicated to training, educating and assisting young people starting careers in commercial fishing.
H.R. 2079 is modeled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s successful Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which is credited with preparing hundreds of young farmers and ranchers for careers in agriculture.
The measure is backed by the Fishing Communities Coalition, a national entity representing small boat, community focused commercial fishermen.
