Farm operating loans for commercial fishing

(a) Definitions Section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)) is amended 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— (A) are intended to enter commerce; or (B) enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade. (15) Commercial fishing vessel The term commercial fishing vessel has the meaning given the term fishing vessel 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.. (b) Eligibility for loans 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 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 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; and (B) the terms farm and ranch shall include a commercial fishing vessel.. (c) Purposes of loans 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 An individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing may only use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for the costs associated with acquiring, operating, or maintaining a commercial fishing vessel.. (d) Implementation and coordination (1) Definition of commercial fishing In this subsection, the term commercial fishing has the meaning given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). (2) Requirement Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure the successful and effective integration of individuals and entities in the commercial fishing industry into each program of the Department for which those individuals and entities are eligible pursuant to the amendments made by this section. (3) Technical assistance and guidance In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) provide outreach and technical assistance to participants in the commercial fishing industry, including through cooperative agreements and public-private and other partnerships, to promote awareness of and access to relevant programs; (B) provide guidance and training to relevant agency personnel of the Department, including through cooperative agreements and public-private and other partnerships, to ensure program services are effectively delivered to the commercial fishing industry; and (C) coordinate, as appropriate, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant Federal and State agencies to implement the amendments made by this section.