When a fishery disaster strikes, federal assistance can take years to arrive — long after fishing communities have already absorbed the damage. Agriculture has had a better answer for decades: crop insurance that can distribute payouts in weeks or even days. Commercial fishing businesses have been left out of those systems, but change is on the horizon.  

Industry organizations have been working closely with the new USDA Office of Seafood to design a more responsive safety net, and this session brings together leaders engaged in that effort. 

Attendees will:

• Understand why the current federal fishery disaster process falls short and envision what a crop insurance model could look like for commercial fishing
• Hear how industry organizations and the USDA Office of Seafood are working together to develop better risk management tools
• Learn whether enhanced risk management programs could benefit your own fishing business or community