The FISH Wellness Act of 2023 authorizes expanded safety and prevention training programs for commercial fishing vessel operators and crew members, with new focus on behavioral and physical health risks including substance use disorder and worker fatigue. The bill increases federal funding for these programs from three million dollars annually to six million dollars per year for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, supporting training initiatives through the Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The legislation allows the Secretary of Commerce to transfer some of these funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to help administer the grant programs. This bill primarily affects the commercial fishing industry, particularly small vessel operators and crew members working in challenging conditions, and was introduced with bipartisan support from senators representing coastal states.
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