In a pivotal move for the U.S. fishing industry, President Joe Biden signed the FISHES Act into law, marking a significant step towards expediting the distribution of federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations.

This legislation addresses the long-standing frustration over the delayed delivery of financial relief to fishermen, as reported by Seafood Source. The FISHES (Fishery Improvement to Streamline Untimely Regulatory Hurdles Post Emergency Situation) Act introduces streamlined procedures for the U.S. Department of Commerce to review and approve state and Tribal spending plans, ensuring that financial relief reaches affected fishermen and their communities more quickly.

Historically, the process of certifying fishery disasters and approving relief distribution has been notoriously slow. Representative Byron Donalds (R-Florida), Seafood Source also reported, the bill's sponsor, expressed this sentiment on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. "The state of Florida alone has requested fisheries disaster relief on seven different occasions since 2012; however, on each occasion, over two years has lapsed from the time of approval to when fisheries disaster relief funds were ultimately made available," Donalds said. "This is simply unacceptable."

This prolonged delay has been a critical issue, with years often passing before checks are delivered to struggling fishermen. The situation in Alaska exemplifies the challenge, with a $300 million backlog in disaster relief funds, as shared by Senator Dan Sullivan. He emphasized the necessity of prompt federal support during disasters, noting, "We need to get money, federal money, when there’s a fisheries disaster, to communities when they need it—not, you know, seven years later."

The bipartisan effort to pass the FISHES Act shows the urgency and need of reforming the relief process. President Biden praised the collaborative efforts of former Rep. Mary Peltola and Senators Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski, Rick Scott, and Marco Rubio, who played pivotal roles in advancing the legislation, according to sources.

Murkowski echoed the need for timely assistance, stating, "Alaska’s fisheries have faced challenges at every turn in recent years—and we will likely see more in the future. From the Yukon River to Prince William Sound to the Bering Sea, nearly every fishery has relied on disaster relief funding to help them through these difficult times. Unfortunately, these fishermen often wait years to see that relief. This common-sense approach applies time limits on agency review so that Alaskans get the help they need, when they need it."

The FISHES Act represents a hopeful shift towards a more responsive and efficient disaster relief process, offering much-needed support to fishing communities across the nation.