House Farm Bill Passage Builds Seafood Momentum

American fishing communities celebrate ongoing seafood support from Congress

Policy Briefing | April 30, 2026 — The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) celebrates the House of Representatives’s inclusion of seafood priorities in the Farm Bill, passed today. The latest step continues strong momentum in Washington, D.C. to better recognize America’s fishing communities, domestic seafood producers, and working waterfronts within federal food policy.

The base text of the House-passed Farm Bill includes several seafood-related provisions, a move that has been years in the making. These inclusions will strengthen the role of U.S. harvesters, processors, and coastal communities within programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“This week’s House action shows that momentum is building across Congress to provide parity for fisheries within federal food policy,” said Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “Fishing businesses in Maine and across the country need the same tools and opportunities available to other American food producers.”

Among the amendments added to the Farm Bill overnight were provisions to formalize the USDA Office of Seafood, strengthen opportunities for domestically produced seafood in federal purchasing programs, and better align nutrition policy with American food production. Led by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) and joined by Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA), these amendments were debated into the early morning hours Thursday on the Floor of the House. Representative Pingree (D-ME) also spoke in support of codifying the Office of Seafood on the House floor.

“California fishermen know that local seafood connects consumers directly to healthy food, climate-smart protein, and vibrant waterfront economies,” said Kim Selkoe, Executive Director of Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara. “Bringing seafood more fully into USDA programs is a practical step that can help small and medium-sized fishing businesses compete, innovate, and continue serving their communities. We’re grateful that Representative Salud Carbajal co-sponsored one of our key bipartisan seafood amendments and are encouraged to see the vision for supporting fishing communities gaining traction in the House.”

"Food security, economic growth, and thriving communities are national priorities that require bold, transformative action,” said Aubrey Church, Fisheries Policy Director of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance. “The establishment of the Office of Seafood, along with Congress’s efforts to strengthen this generational achievement, marks a significant step forward. We are grateful to all who recognized the essential role that fishing and seafood play in our food system and the nation’s overall success."

For generations, fishing communities have helped feed the nation, sustain regional economies, and provide high-quality protein to families across the country. Unlike their farming neighbors, however, fishermen have often remained outside the core architecture of federal food policy. 

“Family-run fishing businesses and local seafood infrastructure are critical drivers of coastal economies, especially in rural Alaska and communities across our coasts,” said Linda Behnken, Executive Director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “It’s encouraging to see Congress increasingly recognize the value fisheries provide to healthy food systems, jobs, and community resilience. Representatives Mace and Carbajal led the charge in the House this week, and Senators Murkowski, Sullivan, Collins, King, and Merkley are helping move this conversation forward in a meaningful way in the Senate. America’s fishermen are profoundly grateful for that work.”

Today’s action reflects growing recognition from lawmakers in both parties that America’s food system includes farms, ranches, and fishing communities alike. It occurs alongside related bipartisan efforts to advance seafood at the USDA in the Senate, most recently the American Seafood Competitiveness Act (S.4236), legislation that would expand access to USDA loans, grants, and development tools for commercial fishing, seafood processing, and mariculture businesses. This combined momentum reflects growing recognition that U.S. fishermen and seafood businesses deserve fair inclusion alongside other American food producers.

“Access to capital, strong markets, and modern infrastructure are essential for keeping fishermen on the water and seafood flowing to American families,” said Eric Brazer, Deputy Director of the Gulf of America Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance. “These House provisions recognize that investing in domestic seafood production also means investing in ports, processors, suppliers, and the coastal communities that depend on them. We applaud Congresswoman Mace’s leadership in advancing these policies and her tenacity, stretching late at night, in getting the job done. This is the kind of commonsense policy that strengthens America’s food security.”

As the legislative process continues, including Senate consideration and any eventual conference negotiations, the Coalition looks forward to working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to advance practical, durable policies that strengthen domestic seafood production, resilient supply chains, and coastal economies.