U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Angus King, I-Maine, have reintroduced legislation to boost shoreside infrastructure and the economies of coastal fishing communities.
Reintroduction of the Working Waterfronts Act was, in fact, one of Murkowski’s priorities in this Congress, in an effort to harness the potential of the blue economy for Alaska’s coastal communities, she said on June 6, as the senators announced their renewed effort to get the legislation passed.
“Given the state’s 66,000 miles of coastline, it is vital Alaska strengthens its shoreside infrastructure and supports workforce development to ensure the sustainability and growth of fisheries, tourism and agriculture sectors,” she said. “The bill will also provide essential resources for alternative energy initiatives, improve community processing facilities, and promote safety and wellness in the maritime workforce.”
For Maine residents, the legislation would provide the state’s working waterfronts with the necessary financial, energy and infrastructure resources to adapt to the rapidly shifting dynamics of natural disasters affecting economic and tourism operations, King said.
The bill overall would include investment in energy and shoreside infrastructure, boost maritime workforce development and the blue economy, and support sustainable and resilient ecosystems. It would include tax credits for marine energy projects, a fishing vessel alternative fuels pilot program, rural coastal community processing, and cold storage grants.
Also included would be a maritime workforce grant program, industry safety, health and wellness components, and an ocean regional opportunity and innovation legislation – plus support for sustainable and resilient ecosystems.
“The Working Waterfronts Act would make impactful changes that are needed now, such as expanding access for fishermen and processors to USDA loans, grants for improving waterfront infrastructure that benefit commercial fishermen, and creating a new program to improve maritime workforce development,” said Greg Smith, communications director at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). “These changes, along with many others in the Act, provide needed help the Alaska seafood industry, a critical pillar of Alaska’s economy.”
