FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2024
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org

Arlington, VA – Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced the “Working Waterfronts Act of 2024,” a bill to support fishermen by addressing the needs of the nation’s working waterfronts. This bill establishes a pilot grant program to transition commercial fleets to alternative fuels, improves critical dockside infrastructure for fishing communities, improves marketing of U.S. seafood products, supports our maritime workforce development, creates an innovation prize for developing electronic fisheries monitoring and data analysis tools, and promotes economic growth and sustainability in the Blue Economy, among other benefits.

Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, released the following statement:

“The Working Waterfronts Act addresses many of the challenges facing our coastal communities. The Network applauds Sen. Murkowski’s comprehensive approach to dealing with those challenges and her commitment to finding solutions. Our coalition welcomes the resources to modernize and upgrade shoreside infrastructure and better understand and address the effects of ocean acidification and climate change on marine life and coastal communities. This bill will also encourage workforce development, including entry-level opportunities for small-scale fishermen. The Network supports continued efforts to build a strong foundation for a thriving U.S. fishing industry and the Blue Economy, and we look forward to putting our efforts behind this bill until it becomes law.”

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The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations committed to sustaining fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and robust fishing communities.