Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced on Apr. 30 that she secured two amendments in the Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which aim to support South Carolina’s shrimping and fishing industry. The new provisions will create a USDA Office of Seafood and expand federal farm loan eligibility to commercial fishermen and fish processors.
The changes are significant for local fishermen who have long sought greater recognition and resources from federal programs. The establishment of the USDA Office of Seafood is intended to provide leadership on issues affecting the seafood sector, integrating fishermen and fish processors into existing USDA programs, and working with other agencies to strengthen the American seafood industry.
“Shrimping and fishing in South Carolina isn’t just an economic driver, it’s a way of life. Anyone who comes to our coast knows it is built on the backs of the men and women who work the water. Yet Washington has ignored our fishermen and shrimpers for far too long. Those days are over,” said Congresswoman Mace. “We’ve always put our fishermen and shrimpers first and have made sure Washington does too. These amendments will give them a seat at the table and the federal resources they’ve always deserved. This win is decades overdue.”
The second amendment modifies eligibility under various USDA loan, grant, and assistance programs so that commercial fishermen can now access farm ownership loans similar to those available for traditional farms or ranches—allowing them to acquire vessels, permits, equipment, or improve their businesses.
Mace has represented South Carolina’s 1st district in Congress since replacing Joe Cunningham in 2021 according to Wikipedia. She previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 until 2020 as reported by Ballotpedia. Born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1977, Mace currently lives in Charleston according to her congressional biography. She graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 as noted by The Citadel.
In recent years, Mace has introduced several initiatives supporting fisheries including legislation aimed at protecting American fisheries from foreign interference as well as efforts requiring government agencies to purchase only American-caught seafood.
