Young Fishermen’s Development Program Reauthorization Act

More training and tracking for young fishermen

This bill would expand the Young Fishermen's Development Program's training and technical help. New topics would include crew management, disaster preparedness, seafood handling, and fishing portfolio diversification. It would also support working waterfronts and shore infrastructure and add mentoring and technical assistance. The bill would clarify that grant award periods must be consecutive but non-concurrent. The Commerce Department, through the National Sea Grant Office, would track participant careers to the extent practicable. Those tracked outcomes would be a key factor when evaluating future grant applications. The bill would extend the program's statutory authorization through 2031 but would not itself provide new money.