USDA Office of Seafood &
Local Catch Network Partnership
About the Collaboration
Established in April 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Seafood was created to expand the seafood sector’s access to USDA programs, services, and resources. Recognizing the importance of this opportunity, the Local Catch Network is partnering with the Office of Seafood to increase awareness of existing USDA resources available to seafood harvesters, processors, distributors, and the communities they support. The partnership will also identify gaps, critical needs, and emerging opportunities to help inform the Office of Seafood’s future priorities. This work is supported through a cooperative agreement between the University of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What to Expect
- Opportunities to inform the priorities of the Office of
Seafood. - Opportunities to learn about USDA resources, tools, and
services for the seafood sector. - Opportunities to bring attention to the role of seafood in
our food systems.
At the Dock: USDA Support for Seafood Processors and Distributors
Webinar + Listening Session to follow: These sessions will provide an overview of the USDA funding and services available to seafood processors and distributors across multiple agencies.
Fall 2026
What You’ll Learn
- Bullet points TBD
In the Market: USDA Support for Seafood Nutrition, Marketing, Sales, and Exports
Webinar + Listening Session to follow: These sessions will provide an overview of the USDA funding and services available to those who market, trade, and distribute seafood across multiple agencies.
Winter 2026
What You’ll Learn
- Bullet points TBD
Around the Community: USDA Support for Coastal Communities
Webinar + Listening Session to follow: These sessions will provide an overview of the USDA funding and services available to support investment in housing, infrastructure, and businesses in rural seafood communities through USDA Rural Development, including state offices.
Winter 2026
What You’ll Learn
- Bullet points TBD
LCN hosts webinars and community forums on a range of topics. See the network’s full roster of recorded sessions and upcoming events at our Webinars and Community Forums page.