U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new USD 8 billion (EUR 7.1 billion) Harvest Fuel Relief program to offset some of the costs farmers and fishers are facing from higher fuel prices.
The government has not specified how much aid individual fishers could receive or when checks will be sent.
“The [Maine Lobstermen’s Association] welcomes USDA's announcement of fuel relief for fishermen facing rising operating costs. Higher fuel prices impact nearly every aspect of running a lobster business, putting even more pressure on already tight margins,” the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) said in a social media post. “MLA has been working closely with USDA to ensure federal officials understand the realities of Maine's lobster fishery. We look forward to continuing that work to help deliver meaningful fuel relief to Maine lobstermen.”
Details on the program are scant, with the USDA simply stating that it will provide “proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year.” The Trump administration claimed the program was authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The department said it would release commodity specific payment rates for Title I commodities in November; commercial fishers are considered producers of non-Title I commodities, which will see their payment rates “announced at a later date.”
The government has also not set a timeline for applications or payments, though USDA encouraged eligible producers to create a Login.gov account in advance to access pre-filled applications.
In separate statements, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) confirmed that commercial fishers would be included in the Harvest Fuel Relief program.
“Like America’s farmers, America’s fishermen have been strained by rising diesel prices and disruptions in global energy markets,” Sullivan said. “After working closely with Secretary [of Agriculture Brooke] Rollins and the White House, I’m glad to announce that Alaska’s fishermen will have access to USDA’s new Harvest Fuel Relief Program to help offset these increased costs. We need our fishermen to keep doing what they do best: sustainably harvesting the freshest, healthiest wild seafood in the world for the benefit of our coastal communities and the entire country.”
“The rising cost of fuel and other inputs has placed significant financial strain on hardworking farmers, fishermen, lobstermen, and their families. After speaking with both the White House and Secretary Rollins, I am pleased to have been assured that Maine fishermen and lobstermen will benefit from the Administration’s new agricultural relief package,” Collins said.
USDA encouraged commercial fishers to reach out to [email protected] to share data on their increased fuel costs, which will be considered by the government in determining payment rates.
“I encourage all Alaska fishermen to help us get the word out and begin compiling and submitting data on their vessels’ fuel consumption and costs to help USDA determine relief payments,” Sullivan said.
In a statement released by Sullivan’s office, United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) President Matt Alward said the program “will help offset the recent spike in the cost of diesel.”
Fuel prices have remained elevated in 2026 since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a major passage for fuel departing the Persian Gulf – by Iran due to Trump’s attacks on the country beginning in February. Fuel is one of the biggest operating costs for commercial fishers, and the higher diesel prices have cut into commercial fishers’ profits. The European Union has been enabling fuel aid for its commercial fishers for months, authorizing member states to offset 70 percent of fuel price increases in April. The European Commission has approved fuel relief proposals submitted by several member states already.
