October 22, 2025 — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has approved legislation that would extend the Young Fishermen’s Development Act for another five years, clearing a path to a vote by the full Senate.
Initially signed into law in 2021, the Young Fishermen’s Development Act has provided competitive federal grants for training a new generation of workers to join the commercial fishing industry. The USD 2 million (EUR 1.7 million) in annual grant funding can be used to fund mentorship programs, workforce training, and education initiatives. The program has been widely supported by commercial fishing groups.