Proposed Legislation Would Clarify If Ports Can Apply for Commercial Fishing Support Grants
Legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Val Hoyle in mid-July aims to clarify whether ports can apply for infrastructure grants to support commercial fishing, and in turn boost coastal communities’ jobs and economies.
Hoyle (D-OR) said current law does not make it explicitly clear whether ports can apply for Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants supporting commercial fishing, and that’s why she introduced the Support Commercial Fishing in Port Infrastructure Projects Act.
The legislation states that any secured PIDP funds can be utilized to support the loading and unloading of commercially harvested fish and fish products.
The bill would ensure that ports may apply for federal funding through the Maritime Administration’s PIDP for port...