Bill Overview
Title: SAFE SEAS Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes grants for states to assist lobster and Jonah crab harvesters with the costs of gear modifications in accordance with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
Sponsors: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in the Atlantic lobster and Jonah crab fisheries
Estimated Size: 20000
- The bill aims to provide financial assistance for gear modifications to protect marine animals, specifically large whales.
- There are active lobster and Jonah crab fisheries on the Atlantic coast, mainly involving countries like the US and Canada.
- The fishing industry, including lobster and Jonah crab fishing, involves several thousand fishers globally, though concentrated mainly in North America.
Reasoning
- The primary beneficiaries of the SAFE SEAS Act are lobster and Jonah crab harvesters on the Atlantic coast, primarily in states like Maine and Massachusetts.
- The policy addresses the economic burden of gear modifications necessary to protect Atlantic large whales, which may be cumbersome for fishers without financial assistance.
- The policy budget of $75 million in year 1 suggests that the funds are limited to reaching only a segment of the estimated 20,000 fishers.
- This act could indirectly benefit other stakeholders in the supply chain, such as suppliers of modified fishing gear, but their direct well-being scores may not be as impacted.
Simulated Interviews
Lobster Harvester (Maine)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new regulations make sense to protect marine life, but they put a financial strain on our operations.
- The grants are a relief and mean I won't have to take out a loan to cover the costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Jonah Crab Harvester (Massachusetts)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe in sustainability, but the initial investment for compliance is tough.
- The grants make the transition manageable without hurting my savings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Lobster Supply Chain Worker (New Jersey)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act doesn't impact me directly, but a healthier industry could mean better job stability.
- I'm indirectly concerned about the implications for my job security if fishermen can't handle the costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Fishing Gear Supplier (Maine)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can boost my business as demand for compliant gear increases.
- I'm hopeful it will provide more opportunities for local businesses like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Marine Biologist (Connecticut)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step for marine conservation, aligning economic incentives with environmental goals.
- Good to see policy action supporting both ecosystems and livelihoods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Lobster Harvester (Rhode Island)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the costs were left to us, it would be unsustainable in the long run.
- I'm glad there's acknowledgment of our struggles at the federal level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental Activist (New York)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is a significant win for ocean life protection.
- It encourages innovation in fishing practices, which is necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Lobster Harvester (Florida)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am glad to see financial aid for my peers that wasn't available during my time.
- It's a progressive move for the new generation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Maine)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns my academic interests with practical outcomes.
- It's encouraging to see policy support for topics I'm passionate about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Finance Officer at a Community Bank (Massachusetts)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I foresee more businesses seeking gear-related loans if the grants are insufficient.
- We aim to support local fishers through this transition, possibly expecting more business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 3: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 5: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 10: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 100: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Key Considerations
- The main goal is to support compliance with environmental laws to protect marine wildlife.
- There is potential fluctuations in the estimates if more fishers become eligible or if the cost of gear changes.
- Short term market disruptions in fishing activities might occur as adjustments are made.