U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced the American Seafood Competitiveness Act, a bill designed to give commercial fishers and seafood processors the same federal backing as traditional farmers. If passed, the legislation would officially categorize commercial fishing as an agricultural activity, opening doors to USDA grants, loans, and disaster relief. Proponents argue the bill is a vital step toward “economic parity,” ensuring that those who harvest from the sea have the same financial tools and stability as those who work the land.