releases: https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sullivan-markey-murkowski-applaud-senate-passage_of-young-fishermens-development-act
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sullivan-markey-murkowski-applaud-senate-passage_of-young-fishermens-development-act | Sullivan, Markey, Murkowski Applaud Senate Passage of Young Fishermens Development Act | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | legacy | 12.04.20 Sullivan, Markey, Murkowski Applaud Senate Passage of Young Fishermen's Development Act U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded the Senate's passage of theYoung Fishermen's Development Act,legislationto mitigate the challenges facing the next generation ofentrants into the fishing industry bysupporting regional training opportunities and apprenticeship programs. Alaska istheunquestioned superpower of seafood, thanks to our world-class, sustainably-managedfisheries and our countless hard-working fishermen, saidSenator Sullivan. The sustainability and endurance of this vital industry, which employs morepeoplein Alaska than any other, depends onup-and-coming qualified fishermen. I thank my Senate colleagues for passing our legislation toreduce basic barriers to entry through new grants, training opportunities andapprenticeship programs. Helping the next generation of Alaskans enter our fisheries will help ensure Alaska remains the superpower of seafood. Despite centuries of fishing tradition in Massachusetts's coastal communities, new fishermen are finding it a challenge to join the industry,said Senator Markey.Our legislation will help ensure that our fishing industry continues to attract and grow future generations of young fishermen. More young men and womenwillbe pushing off the dock into new careers andfully participating in the economy of their communities. I thank my colleagues for their partnership on this hopeful legislation and look forward to enacting it into law. I appreciate Senator Sullivan leading this effort and am glad to once again join him in addressing some of the barriers facing young people as they try to join the commercial fishing fleet. This legislation will support education, training, and workplace development of future fishermen and help maintain sustainable fishing careers, strengthen food security, and encourage future generations of Alaskans to pursue jobs in this important industry,said Senator Murkowski.It is my hope that enactment of this legislation will help us pass down the values and lifestyles that fishing has woven into the fabric of our state. The United States is among the leading fishing nations in the world, generating more than $200 billion in sales and supporting 1.7 million jobs per year. The positive impact of U.S. commercial fisheries on the economy largely reflects the effective laws put into place under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the collectiveeffortsof National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, regional fisheries management councils, and stakeholders tosustainably manage U.S. fisheries. In recent years,incoming generations of commercial fishermenseeking toenter the industryhave metnew challenges and higher barriers to entry, contributing to several shifts in the demographics of commercial permit holders. In several regions, commercial fisheries have seen anincrease by10 yearsor more in theaverage participant'sageover thepreviousgeneration of fishermen, and rural communities have lost 30 percent of local permit holders. Several studies suggest this graying of the fleet has led to an increase in financial capital and risk needed to enter intothecommercialfishingindustry. Modeled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture's successful Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, thislegislation creates the first federal program dedicated to training, educating, and assisting the next generation of commercial fishermen.The Young Fishermen's Development Program would include: A competitive grants program for collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based networks or partnerships. A mentorship/apprenticeship program to connect retiring fishermen and vessel owners with new and beginning fishermen. Financial support for local and regional training and education in sustainable and accountable fishing practices, marine stewardship, and business practices, and technical initiatives that address the needs of beginning fishermen. TheYoung Fishermen's Development Actwill now be considered by the House. Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |