Young Fishermen’s Development Program Reauthorization Act was reported by committee and awaits a floor vote

Young Fishermen’s Development Program Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and expands the purposes of the Young Fishermen’s Development Program. The bill also directs the National Sea Grant Office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to track and evaluate the career progression of program participants. As background, the Young Fishermen’s Development Program awards grants to support training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen. Currently, grants may be used for specified topics, including vessel and engine maintenance, sustainable fishing practices, and financial and risk management. The bill expands these topics to include crew management, disaster preparedness, seafood handling, fishing portfolio diversification and expansion, and management of working waterfronts and related shoreside infrastructure. In addition, the bill eliminates NOAA's discretionary authority to determine other activities, opportunities, or programs that are eligible for grants under the program. The bill also prohibits recipients from receiving concurrent grants. (Consecutive grants are permitted under the bill and current law.) Finally, the bill directs the National Sea Grant Office, to the extent practicable, to (1) track the career progression of program participants; (2) identify participants who subsequently enter or remain in commercial fisheries in the United States or related industries; and (3) use these outcomes as a key factor in evaluating future grant applications.