01/29/2026
Thank you for your Advocacy: NIOSH Commercial Fishing Safety Staff Were Reinstated, Strengthening Safety Efforts Nationwide
AMSEA is excited to share fantastic news for the future of commercial fishing safety in the U.S. On January 14, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services rescinded all layoffs of NIOSH employees who had been placed on administrative leave since last April due to restructuring at HHS. Critical employees in the Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies (Commercial Fishing Program), Western States Division, and the Office of Extramural Coordination and Special Projects (who administer the USCG/NIOSH Fishing Safety Research and Training Grant Program and more) have all been called back to continue their critical work.
AMSEA is grateful to everyone who stood up for the reinstatement of NIOSH employees. We especially want to share our gratitude to Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Dan Sullivan, along with other U.S. Senators and Representatives and Alaska legislators for listening to the fishing community and responding with urgency. We want to thank fishermen and their families, fishing organizations, safety partners, industry advocates, and AMSEA members and instructors who shared testimonials, made calls, wrote letters, and never stopped advocating for the importance of commercial fishing safety and the work that NIOSH does.
Read more on our blog: https://www.amsea.org/post/thank-you-for-your-advocacy-niosh-commercial-fishing-safety-staff-were-reinstated-strengthening-sa
