Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Legislation to Protect Health of Commercial Fishermen
Washington, D.C – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Dan Sullivan (R-AL) led a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement (FISH Wellness) Act. This legislation aims to build upon the success of the Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research & Training Program to better address the range of occupational safety and health risks facing fishermen, including worker fatigue and substance use disorder. The bipartisan bill would also increase the authorized funding for the program and make these research and training grants more accessible by eliminating the match requirement.
“Maine is known around the world for our proud fishing heritage,” said Senator Collins. “The hard-working men and women that make up our state’s fishing industry face hazardous and unforgiving conditions, and I am pleased to be working on this effort to help get them the safety training and mental health resources they need.”
“Every day, our fishermen are faced with demanding and dangerous working conditions that take both a physical and mental toll, all while they work to bring food to the tables of families across the country,” said Senator Markey. “The FISH Wellness Act will provide much needed funding to ensure that fishermen are getting the information and resources they need to stay safe and healthy on the job.”
“Fishermen contend with extreme weather, long distances and periods away from shore and family, and often strenuous working conditions—factors that contribute to the industry being consistently ranked among the most dangerous in the country,” said Senator Sullivan. “I’m glad to introduce the FISH Wellness Act with Senator Markey, which would expand job safety training opportunities to support our fishermen as they sustainably harvest a world-class renewable resource and strengthen our coastal economies.”
“Commercial fishermen are industrial athletes whose work takes a toll on both physical and mental health, and we are pleased to see health and wellness included in these critical programs,” said Monique Coombs, Director of Community Programs at Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “This bill humanizes the work that fishermen do. Expanding access to physical and mental health support and training provides sustenance for our community fisheries and helps sustain the domestic seafood supply. We thank Senator Collins and Senator Markey for their outstanding support for our fishing communities’ wellbeing.”
“Providing our next generation of fishermen and women with the mental health and substance abuse care that they need is vital to the success of our industry,” said Andrea Tomlinson, Founder and Executive Director of New England Young Fishermen's Alliance. “Commercial fishing is the second most dangerous job in the US after logging, and these workers require extra mental and behavioral health support due to the strenuous and challenging conditions of this valuable trade.”
“With this funding, fishermen are able to bring training to their home ports that will save lives. We’ve trained over 2,000 fishermen from Jonesport, Maine, to Wanchese, North Carolina since the grants began in the fall of 2019. Fishermen want and need more.” said J.J. Bartlett, Founder of Fishing Partnership Support Services.
In addition to Senators Collins, Markey, and Sullivan, the FISH Wellness Act was cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
In 2019, Senators Collins, Markey, Sullivan, Shaheen, Murkowski, Angus King (I-Maine), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Funding Instruction for Safety Health, and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies (FISH SAFE) Act and secured its inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The legislation reauthorized the program and enacted a 75-percent federal cost share for fishing safety grants, an increase from the previous maximum of a 50-percent federal share.
A copy of the FISH Wellness Act can be found here.
###
