The longest government shutdown in history ended this week with the Senate and House passing a continuing resolution. But did you know it includes funding to establish a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) position to support U.S. commercial fishermen and businesses?
The Southern Shrimp Alliance advocated with other fisheries organizations to secure $650,000 in the proposed fiscal year 2026 appropriations legislation to create “a position in the Office of the [Agriculture] Secretary solely responsible for the effective coordination of seafood policies and activities within the Department, and in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, relating to the support of domestically harvested and processed wild and farmed seafood.”
The proposed funding hit a roadblock during the government shutdown but was revived by a Senate amendment to the continuing resolution that included $500,000 to fund the position, helping U.S. fishermen and seafood businesses access USDA support currently available to farmers.
“USDA has loans and financial services that are designed to help America’s food producers,” explained Blake Price, deputy director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “Now, thanks to the Senate’s leadership, there will be a person dedicated to supporting the U.S. seafood producers in accessing these resources and coordinating seafood policies and activities across agencies. We expect a USDA seafood liaison will have a significant impact on the future viability of the U.S. shrimp industry.”
Supporting Domestic Seafood
While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) manages our federal fisheries harvest and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees seafood labeling and safety, no federal agency has provided clear and consistent leadership for seafood as a priority domestic food commodity. USDA will now assume that role.
The USDA seafood liaison is expected to:
- Serve as a point of accountability for integrating seafood and U.S. seafood producers into USDA programs and operations,
- Coordinate with other agencies that have a role in the seafood supply chain, to ensure that all agencies are collectively working towards common seafood support objectives in domestic and global markets,
- Help USDA purchase more seafood for its National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
Other Approved Funding
A separate provision in the Senate’s amendment to the continuing resolution renews funding requested by SSA to increase FDA testing and inspections of imported seafood and seafood producers. Congress instructs the FDA to spend at least $15 million on inspections of foreign seafood manufacturers and field examinations of imported seafood. Funding at this level first began in fiscal year 2019: https://shrimpalliance.com/government-spending-bill-includes-new-funds-for-fda-seafood-inspections/
Additionally, the final continuing resolution also prohibits the USDA from using Chinese seafood in school meals—something SSA supports, given findings of forced labor, IUU fishing, and antibiotic abuse in Chinese shrimp supply chains.
“We are grateful to the Senators on the Appropriations Committee from our shrimping states who recognize the need for increased investment in the U.S. shrimp industry to help coastal communities rebuild after years of counterproductive trade policies,” said Price. “Their advocacy for a USDA seafood liaison helps increase America’s seafood security, ensuring ethically produced, premium wild-caught shrimp remain on U.S. dinner plates.”
In order of seniority, these champions include Senators Lindsay Graham (R-SC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).
Additional Resources
Read the final amendment language in the Congressional Record (specifically, pg. 5 of the attached, under Division B, Title I): https://shrimpalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CREC-2025-11-10-pt1-PgS8136-3.pdf
Read SSA’s Letter supporting inclusion of seafood under USDA programs.
Edited Nov 17 for clarity.