Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced on Apr. 30 that she secured two amendments to the Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which aim to support South Carolina’s shrimping and fishing industry. The provisions include establishing a new Office of Seafood within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and expanding federal farm loan eligibility to commercial fishermen and fish processors.
The amendments are intended to provide additional resources and representation for those working in the seafood sector, a significant part of South Carolina’s coastal economy. Mace said, “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.” She continued, “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 amendment codifies an Office of Seafood at USDA that will offer leadership on issues affecting seafood producers while integrating them into existing USDA programs alongside partners such as the Department of Commerce.
Another amendment modifies federal law so commercial fishermen and fish processors can access USDA loans, grants, or assistance programs previously limited to farms or ranches; this includes loans for vessels, permits, equipment, or facilities.
Mace has been representing South Carolina’s 1st district since 2021 after replacing Joe Cunningham in Congress according to Wikipedia. She previously served in the state legislature from 2018 until 2020 as reported by Ballotpedia. Born in Fort Bragg in 1977, she currently lives in Charleston according to her official biography. Mace graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 according to The Citadel.
In recent years, Mace has introduced other measures supporting fisheries—including legislation addressing foreign interference—and championed policies requiring American-caught seafood purchases by federal agencies.
