Department of Agriculture loans and grants for fishing and mariculture businesses

(a) Definitions of farmer and farming Section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking farming. and inserting farming, commercial fishing, or fish processing.; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking farming. and inserting farming, commercial fishing, and fish processing.; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (14) Commercial fishing The term commercial fishing means fishing (as defined in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802)) in which the fish harvested, either in whole or in part, are intended to enter commerce or enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade. (15) Commercial fishing vessel The term commercial fishing vessel means a fishing vessel and a fish processing vessel (as those terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code). (16) Fish The term fish has the meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code. (17) Fish processing The term fish processing means the processing of fish for commercial use or consumption. (18) Fish processing facility The term fish processing facility means a facility or vessel, boat, ship, or other craft used or equipped for fish processing.. (b) Farm ownership loans (1) Eligibility Section 302(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish For purposes of direct and guaranteed farm loans under this subtitle— (A) the terms farmer and rancher shall include an individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing; and (B) the terms farm and ranch shall include— (i) a commercial fishing vessel; and (ii) a fish processing facility.. (2) Purposes Section 303(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1923(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Commercial fishery participants; fish processors (A) Commercial fishery participants An individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for— (i) acquiring a commercial fishing permit; and (ii) acquiring, operating, and maintaining a commercial fishing vessel. (B) Fish processors An individual or entity engaged in fish processing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for acquiring, operating, and maintaining a fish processing facility.. (c) Farm operating loans (1) Eligibility Section 311(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish For purposes of direct and guaranteed farm loans under this subtitle— (A) the terms farmer and rancher shall include an individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing; and (B) the terms farm and ranch shall include— (i) a commercial fishing vessel; and (ii) a fish processing facility.. (2) Purposes Section 312 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1942) is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) Commercial fishery participants; fish processors (1) Commercial fishery participants An individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for acquiring, operating, and maintaining a commercial fishing vessel. (2) Fish processors An individual or entity engaged in fish processing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for acquiring, operating, and maintaining a fish processing facility.. (d) Farmers' markets and local food promotion program Section 210A(d)(6) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1627c(d)(6)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (F) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish For purposes of this paragraph— (i) an agricultural commodity or product described in subsection (a)(12) shall include fish (as defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code) that is caught, taken, or harvested from the wild; and (ii) the eligible activities described in paragraph (2) shall include domestic seafood marketing..