Growing up, I spent plenty of mornings on the water — Boy Scout trips to Camp Mitigwa and summers at Lake Okoboji with my family. Like a lot of young Iowans, I was a kid who loved to fish.
But for many Americans, fishing isn’t just a pastime — it’s a livelihood passed down through generations. It’s a tradition built on hard work, skill, and mentorship. And right now, it’s at risk.
The problem: The skills that make a successful fisherman — navigation, technique, and staying safe on open water — aren’t learned from a manual. They’re learned from experienced fishermen willing to teach the next generation. But with fewer young people entering the industry each year, that chain of mentorship is beginning to break down.
Just like keeping a family farm running through the next generation, sustaining America’s fishing industry requires investing in the people ready to carry it forward.
The solution: That’s why I helped champion the Captain Accursio “Gus” Young Fishermen’s Development Act — bipartisan legislation the House passed this week to invest in the next generation of American fishermen.
Specifically, this bill would:
🎣 Reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Grant Program through 2031
🛟 Fund hands-on apprenticeships, safety training, and technical assistance for young fishermen entering the industry
🤝 Empower Sea Grant institutions, universities, and fishing cooperatives to build the skills the next generation needs to succeed
Bottom Line: Whether it’s a family farm in Iowa or a family fishing operation on our coasts, we can’t allow the next generation to be priced out of the trades that built this country. I’ll keep fighting to make sure young fishermen have the training and mentorship to carry their family traditions forward.