The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Young Fishermen's Development Act, which would renew a grant program supporting the commercial fishing workforce for another five years.
The Young Fishermen’s Development Act was signed into law in 2021, establishing a competitive grant program providing training opportunities for laborers joining the commercial fishing industry. The program provided USD 2 million (EUR 1.7 million) in annual funding for mentorship programs, workforce training, and education initiatives; however, the original legislation only authorized funding for five years.
With funding for the Young Fishermen’s Development Grant Program expiring, U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation in both the House and Senate to renew funding for another five years.
On 3 March, the House passed the legislation in a voice vote.
"Commercial fishing is at the heart of Massachusetts’ identity and economy, but this legacy will not endure if we don’t help the next generation get started,” U.S. Representative Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts) said in a release.
In voting to pass the legislation, lawmakers changed the bill’s name to honor Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, the captain of the fishing vessel Lily Jean which sunk off the Massachusetts coast in January. The captain was one of seven to lose their lives in the tragedy.
“I am proud to rename this bill after Captain Sanfilippo,” Moulton said in a statement. “As a father, he led by example with kindness, patience, steady guidance, integrity, and a generous heart. As a captain, he shared the same values with the young members of his crew. Captain Sanfilippo took each young worker under his wing, showing them not only how to succeed in the industry but how to carry themselves with responsibility and courage. He took great pride in his role as captain and was, above all else, courageous and selfless.”
The legislation still needs to be passed by the Senate in order to become law. The Senate Commerce Committee passed the bill in a voice vote in October 2025.
