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News from the Nation’s Working Waterfronts |
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Welcome to Dockside.
As a leading national voice for U.S. small-scale and community-based fisheries, the Fishing Communities Coalition connects the docks from coast to coast.
By working together across geographies, we offer a well-rounded, national perspective informed by on-the-water experience and policy expertise. While each region faces unique challenges, the solutions often overlap, and our collaboration helps amplify what works. This collective strength allows us to be a reliable, even-keeled resource for policymakers navigating complex fisheries issues.
We welcome opportunities to work with leaders who value coastal resilience, local food systems, and the future of America’s working waterfronts.
The FCC is here to connect, inform, and advocate for policies that reflect real-time experiences on the water as federal decisions increasingly shape the future of our working waterfronts.
Each newsletter will spotlight the people, policies, and possibilities shaping commercial fishing today, because Securing America’s Fishing Future starts with us.
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House Testimony on
Seafood EO |
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Catching Fish, Capturing Data |
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The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance launched a new research fleet that tracks bottom ocean conditions to strengthen local fisheries. In partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, fishing vessels are collecting oceanographic data to provide real-time information, document seasonal changes and track year-to-year variability in temperature and salinity. |
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Reeling in the Next Generation |
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FCC is proud to support the launch of the National Future Fishermen Coalition (NFFC), dedicated to empowering the next generation of commercial fishermen across the country. This resource connects young people with training programs, mentorship opportunities, and tools to navigate a career on the water. Investing in future fishermen is vital to sustaining our coastal communities and seafood economy. Visit the site and help spread the word — our future is on the line. |
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A Win for Science, Fisheries + the Future |
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We’re happy to share that Dr. Mike Allen of the University of Florida has been appointed to the Gulf Fishery Management Council.
This appointment is a strong endorsement of science-based fisheries management, which is the foundation of sustainable harvests, healthy ecosystems, and economic stability. It ensures our working waterfronts and commercial fishing communities remain vibrant and productive.
This appointment is the result of tireless advocacy of commercial fishermen, charter and for-hire operators, and members of the scientific community across the Gulf of America. |
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The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association program Fishermen Feeding Mainers has helped provide more than 1.6 million seafood meals to families in Maine and New Hampshire since its launch in 2020.
Now schools want in but don't have the ability to process whole fish. So the MCFA and partners have secured USDA funding to work with local businesses to create seafood products that local schools can serve. The result? More kids eating fresh seafood!
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No More Slacking on Seafood |
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A new study shows that seafood gets just 0.5 percent of USDA marketing and food system grants, significantly less than the industry's contribution to the domestic food economy.
Thanks to the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association and Professor Josh Stoll of the University of Maine for investing in this research to help our fishing communities improve access to federal food programs.
Register for the webinar: Fish, Funding and Food Systems, hosted by Local Catch on August 26.
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FCC's members build community-based solutions for resilient working waterfronts and sustainable fisheries to ensure a thriving marine economy for generations to come. |
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The Young Fishermen’s Development Act |
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Supporting next-generation harvesters
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What: The Young Fishermen’s Development Act (YFDA) is a highly successful bipartisan initiative to support the next generation of commercial fishermen by funding commercial fishing education, mentorship, and training programs. Senator Dan Sullivan (AK) and Representative Seth Moulton (MA) have led the recent reintroduction of bipartisan, bicameral, multicoastal legislation to reauthorize the YFDA for FY27-31.
Why: With rising costs, limited access to permits, and aging fleets, young people face growing barriers to entering the industry.
Our View: The FCC supports the YFDA because it helps ensure the future of sustainable, community-based fisheries by investing in new entrants, preserving local knowledge, and strengthening coastal economies. |
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Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization |
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Adapting for a changing world |
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What: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is the foundation of federal fisheries policy, and its reauthorization presents a key opportunity to strengthen sustainable, science-based management.
Why: As the challenges facing fisheries evolve, updating the MSA is essential to ensure our fisheries remain productive, resilient, and accessible.
Our View: The FCC supports targeted MSA reauthorization that centers small-boat, community-based fishermen; promotes transparency and accountability; and advances climate-ready management. A modernized MSA can help uphold the conservation standards that have made U.S. fisheries a model of sustainability.
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Investing in American infrastructure |
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What: The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act and the Working Waterfronts Preservation Act support working waterfront resilience and disaster response by helping communities improve water access, shoreside infrastructure, and planning for the future. Maine Senator Collins and Representative Chellie Pingree have led the development and introduction of these bills.
Why: Across the country, working waterfronts are disappearing due to rising real estate pressure, aging infrastructure, and lack of investment. Once lost, they rarely return.
Our View: The FCC supports the advancement of working waterfront support legislation because these bills provide federal resources to protect and restore waterfront access for commercial fishing, processing, and other maritime businesses. Investing in the backbone of our coastal communities helps ensure that our local fishermen can land and sell their catch for generations to come. |
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Investing in U.S. Seafood |
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Supporting seafood at the USDA
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What: Legislation supporting commercial fishing and seafood businesses at the U.S. Department of Agriculture includes the Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 and the National Seafood Supply Act of 2023.
Why: While the USDA has historically supported food producers’ businesses, agriculture-dependent communities, and marketing of domestic foods, American commercial fishing and seafood businesses have been largely shut out.
Our view: Supporting seafood at the USDA is long overdue. Leaders in Congress representing coastal states have long championed these initiatives, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (AR) has integrated several seafood provisions into his Farm Bill priorities. Seafood is health food, and all Americans would benefit from Congressional actions that make it easier for them to access domestically produced seafood. |
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Kinsey Brown | Cordova, Alaska |
“Our waterfronts are where ocean ecosystems meet human economies. If we want both to thrive, we must invest in policies and infrastructure that ensure access, strengthen local resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.”
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Jamie Bassett | Chatham, Massachusetts |
“Without active participation, federal policies can be shaped by those with competing interests —large corporations, environmental non-governmental organizations for example — that may not fully consider the perspectives of small-scale fishermen.”
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Anthony Colletti | Leeville, Louisiana |
“Unfortunately, thriving working waterfronts can be really hard to find these days. But it’s really simple — a thriving working waterfront has the facilities and essential resources that commercial fishermen like me need — dock, ice, fuel, running water, power — and that also brings together a good group of young fishermen who want to work together to run businesses and provide seafood into the future.” |
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What's next for fisheries funding |
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Appropriations: The Senate’s Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill maintains strong support for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), while the House proposal significantly underfunds key NMFS science and management programs — posing serious risks to sustainable fisheries and seafood businesses. This contrast underscores the challenge of securing reliable federal investment in the marine resources and communities that power America’s seafood supply chain.
Cuts proposed by the House could undermine essential science and management, threatening fish stock health, coastal economies, and years of conservation progress. Robust funding is critical to maintaining sustainable fisheries and the livelihoods they support.
The House’s CJS markup scheduled for July 24 was canceled and will need to be rescheduled after recess. We appreciate the Senate’s continued support and urge appropriations that uphold the strength and sustainability of U.S. fishing communities.
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Thank you for supporting Community-Based Fisheries! |
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