Fishing communities applaud Senate seafood leadership

Coalition thanks Chairman Boozman, committee staff and bipartisan commercial fishing champions for advancing key provisions in Farm Bill 2.0 legislation

Policy Response | June 23, 2026 — The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC), representing coast-to-coast fishing organizations and coastal communities, today applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee's release of Farm Bill text containing significant seafood priorities.

FCC extended thanks to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and Committee staff for their leadership and engagement with fishing communities throughout the Farm Bill development process, noting that congressional champions working to elevate seafood within federal food policy discussions reflect a true commitment to America’s hard working fishing families.

"Fishing communities have spent years making the case that seafood belongs in America's food policy conversations," said Noah Oppenheim, Coordinator of the Fishing Communities Coalition. "We appreciate Chairman Boozman and Senate Agriculture Committee staff for listening, engaging directly with fishermen from around the country, tackling complex issues, and taking meaningful steps to elevate American commercial fisheries and seafood within the Farm Bill. The bill text released today reflects the growing recognition that fishing communities are an important part of America's food system and deserve a seat at the table in policies that shape its future."

The FCC is particularly encouraged by bill language that would expand commercial fishing eligibility for USDA Farm Operating Loans, extending low cost capital access for commercial fishermen across the country. This language is found in Section 5216 and draws on elements from the American Seafood Competitiveness Act, which the FCC assisted in developing. Additionally, FCC commended provisions to improve federal coordination through the establishment of an Office of Seafood (Section 12505), evaluate opportunities to re-onshore seafood processing capacity (Section 12506), and increase recognition of seafood within national food policy overall.

Other active pieces of legislation have helped provide a meaningful platform for seafood integration into federal food policy. In that light, FCC members thanked Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) for their leadership as lead sponsors of the Alaska Seafood Competitiveness Act, which was partially included in the Farm Bill, as well as Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) for their co-sponsorship of the bill and their continued support of policies that strengthen fishing communities and expand opportunities for domestic seafood.

"Fishing communities have long understood that seafood belongs in conversations about food security, nutrition, economic development, and resilient local food systems,” said Michelle Stratton, Executive Director of the Alaska Marine Community Coalition. “It's encouraging to see that increasingly reflected in federal policy. We appreciate the steadfast support from Alaska’s Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, and the many congressional leaders who work alongside them, ensuring that fishing communities have a voice in shaping the future of the U.S. food system."

The Farm Bill text released today builds on momentum established earlier this year when the House passed its Farm Bill containing several seafood priorities, reflecting growing bipartisan recognition of the important role fishing communities play in domestic food production, economic development, nutrition, and food security.

"Commercial fishing is a small business industry at its core,” said Eric Brazer, Deputy Director of the Gulf of America Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance. “Fishing businesses, seafood dealers, processors, and working waterfronts all depend on policies that help American seafood compete and reach consumers. Including seafood priorities in the Farm Bill recognizes the economic importance of our industry and creates new opportunities for coastal businesses and communities that rely on commercial fishing."

FCC members said the legislation reflects a broader shift toward recognizing seafood not only as a critical economic driver for coastal communities, but also as an essential part of America's domestic food system.

"Seafood is one of America's great food resources, yet it has often been overlooked in programs designed to support domestic food production and regional economies,” said Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association. “The inclusion of these seafood priorities represents meaningful progress toward better integrating seafood into federal food policy. We are grateful to Senator Collins, Senator King, and their colleagues for helping move these conversations forward."

What's Next
The release of Senate Farm Bill text marks an important step in the legislative process. FCC will continue reviewing the Farm Bill and working with congressional offices, coalition partners, and stakeholders as the Farm Bill process advances. The group looks forward to continuing its engagement with the Senate Agriculture Committee and congressional leaders to strengthen seafood provisions and build bipartisan support for policies that benefit fishing communities nationwide.