Gulf Coast fishermen will now have access to federal programs previously reserved for farmers, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Office of Seafood. This initiative aims to support the American seafood industry, address challenges like foreign competition, and boost domestic production, marketing, and exports.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Gulf Coast fishermen are getting access to federal programs that have long supported American farmers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Office of Seafood. Gulf Coast fishermen are getting access to federal programs that have long supported American farmers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Office of Seafood.
The seafood industry feeds millions, but many fishermen say federal support has been hard to come by. “Well, the last 20 years or so, it’s been a global industry, so we’re competing with all these foreign countries where the labor rates are cheap, operating costs are cheap, things like that. So it’s taken a major cut into our profit margin,” said Frank Parker, a commercial fisherman.
The USDA’s new Office of Seafood will connect fishermen with federal programs they couldn’t access before. “It’s very exciting for us to finally be recognized, the seafood industry, that is, as food producers in this country. We’ve always been missing that element of the government that really wants to help promote and support our industry, help us find the next generation of commercial fishermen, help us promote our product as the healthy, sustainable seafood source that it is,” said Leann Bosarge, a Southern Shrimp Alliance board member.
The new office will advise federal leaders on industry issues while helping boost American seafood production, marketing and exports. “The benefits just to having that USDA label, not from a consumer standpoint as far as them eating our product, but us as a producer, now we’re eligible for all these things like subsidies and things like that,” Parker said. Supporters say the recognition could open the door to funding, disaster assistance and new opportunities for fishermen across the Gulf Coast.
The impact of the new office may extend beyond the water’s edge as efforts grow to bring more domestic seafood into schools. “Personally, as a mother of four, I would love to see more seafood in schools. As you know, it is vital to brain health. And that is the period of your life where your brain is developing, right? But for our industry, that would be amazing. That would be a stable customer for us where we could count on that sale,” Bosarge said. The impact of the new office may extend beyond the water’s edge as efforts grow to bring more domestic seafood into schools.
Industry leaders say programs like this could support healthier meals and create a more stable future for fishermen. Leaders with the Southern Shrimp Alliance say they will now be working directly with the USDA to expand those opportunities and make sure Gulf Coast fishermen can fully take advantage of them. UPDATE: New information on fire at the old Searcy Hospital on Friday Former teacher pleads guilty to improper sexual relationship with 2 teen boys
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