Bill Overview
Title: Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program to award grants and provide technical assistance to certain entities for youth fishing projects. In awarding grants, NOAA must prioritize applicants with proposals for youth fishing projects that focus on an underserved community.
Sponsors: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Target Audience
Population: Youth living in coastal and underserved communities worldwide
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill focuses on establishing youth fishing programs.
- The primary target is young individuals, particularly those in underserved communities.
- Fishing is generally a popular activity among families living in coastal regions.
- The program might enhance educational and recreational opportunities for youth.
Reasoning
- The program targets coastal and underserved communities, aiming to serve approximately 200,000 youth in the US over ten years.
- The budget limits the extent and reach of the program in initial years, but scalable growth is feasible with additional funding over ten years.
- Not every youth in coastal areas will be interested in fishing, but the program may provide primary improvement for youth engagement, education, and community bonding for some.
- Involving local organizations can enhance program effectiveness, especially in reaching those less likely to participate independently.
- The program is expected to benefit communities not only by providing recreational activity but also by including educational elements about marine ecology, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among youth.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (Coastal Mississippi)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to learn more about the ocean and how to fish.
- Our school doesn't offer much in terms of outdoor activities, so this would be amazing.
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 |
Middle School Student (Rural Maine)
Age: 14 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it would be cool to learn something new and maybe have something to do after school.
- Fishing could be a way to help my family with food, too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
High Schooler and Part-time Job (Urban Florida)
Age: 17 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I probably wouldn't have time to participate, but it's great for those who could.
- Anything that gets more kids outdoors and engaged is positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Middle School Student (Coastal California)
Age: 12 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My friends and I would love to join a program like this.
- Fishing sounds like a fun way to spend weekends and breaks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
College Student (Coastal Oregon)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might help with these programs as a volunteer or educator.
- This initiative aligns well with community goals I've seen here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Student (Coastal Texas)
Age: 15 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We don't really have many programs in our area, this would be great.
- I'd love to do something fun and learn more about nature.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Middle School Student (Coastal Louisiana)
Age: 13 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Fishing with my family is fun, so learning more about it sounds awesome.
- Programs like this would help other kids learn new skills and stay out of trouble.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
High School Senior (Coastal New Jersey)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Great initiative! I'd love to connect with younger students interested in marine life.
- Programs like these make my future city a better place.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
High School Student (Puerto Rico)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the program comes to our community. We need more resources like this.
- Fishing could teach us more about our island and help us take care of it.
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 |
High School Student (Coastal Alabama)
Age: 14 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious about fishing even though it's not something I usually think about.
- Could be something fun to try with friends if it's available.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $6000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $6100000 (Low: $5100000, High: $7100000)
Year 3: $6200000 (Low: $5200000, High: $7200000)
Year 5: $6400000 (Low: $5400000, High: $7400000)
Year 10: $6800000 (Low: $5800000, High: $7800000)
Year 100: $8000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $9000000)
Key Considerations
- The popularity of fishing in coastal communities can maximize the program's reach and effectiveness.
- Focus on underserved community benefits may drive a better social equality perspective.
- The involvement of NOAA avails expertise in environmental and logistic facilitation.