June 11, 2025 — Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) are doubling down on their bipartisan effort to fortify the backbone of America’s coastal economy. On June 6, the two reintroduced the Working Waterfronts Act, a bill designed to boost shoreside infrastructure, maritime workforce development, and economic resiliency in fishing communities from Alaska to Maine.
Originally introduced in February 2024, the legislation included more than a dozen provisions aimed at building capacity across the blue economy while helping fishermen and seafood processors face down the mounting challenges of climate change and shifting fisheries dynamics.
“One of my priorities this Congress was reintroducing the Working Waterfronts Act, a comprehensive and collective effort to harness the potential of the blue economy for Alaska’s coastal communities,” said Senator Murkowski. “With 66,000 miles of coastline, it is vital Alaska strengthens our shoreside infrastructure and supports workforce development to ensure the sustainability and growth of our fisheries, tourism, and mariculture sectors.”