Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo Young Fishermen’s Development Act
Introduced June 3, 2025 · Last action March 4, 2026
Plain English Summary
This bill extends the Young Fishermen's Development Act authorization from 2026 to 2031, giving the federal program five additional years of funding authority to support new and early-career fishermen. The bill makes a single technical amendment to the law's expiration date.
Who benefits
Early-career and beginning commercial fishermen who rely on federal grants, loans, training, and business development assistance through the Young Fishermen's Development Act; fishing industry associations and nonprofit organizations that administer or partner with the program to deliver services; coastal fishing communities dependent on fishery resource management
Who pays / loses
U.S. taxpayers who fund the program through federal appropriations for the additional five-year period (2027-2031)
Funding & Lobbying Interests
The fishing industry and organizations representing commercial fishermen, including fishing associations and marine trade groups, benefit from continued federal support for workforce development and market entry. The bill does not specify a dollar amount, so the actual cost depends on annual appropriations decisions made separately by Congress.
Political Impact
Affected Groups
Young and beginning commercial fishermen (typically defined as those under 40 years old or with fewer than 10 years of fishing experience in most federal fishery programs); fishing families in coastal regions including New England, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Gulf of Mexico; rural coastal communities with fishing-dependent economies
Political Subtext
Proponents describe this as essential support for the next generation of commercial fishermen, helping entry-level operators overcome capital barriers and market access challenges. The bill is non-controversial and widely supported by fishing industry representatives and coastal state delegations. No organized opposition is apparent, as the bill simply extends an existing program rather than creating new policy or redirecting resources.
Real-World Stakes
If this passes, the Young Fishermen's Development Act continues operating through 2031 without interruption, preserving federal grants and loans for early-career fishermen. If it does not pass, the program would expire in 2026 and cease operations unless Congress acts again. The Young Fishermen's Development Act, authorized in 2018, provides direct assistance including aquaculture grants, fishing vessel financing, and business planning support—benefits young fishermen seeking to enter or expand operations in an industry with high startup costs and shrinking participation.
Sponsor
Sponsor information not available.
Vote Record
No recorded votes.
Campaign Finance — Primary Sponsor
No campaign finance data available yet.
501(c)(4) disclosure: Contributions from 501(c)(4) "dark money" organizations are not required to be publicly disclosed and are not reflected in the figures above. Data sourced from FEC public disclosure filings.
Community Discussion
Share this bill
Sign in to join the discussion.
No comments yet. Be the first.