December 1, 2020 — Gov. Ralph DLG Torres announced yesterday the allocation of $980,000 in CARES Act funds to assist commercial and subsistence fishermen in the CNMI—estimated to be in the thousands—who’ve been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Torres said at a press conference that the money is available after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration approved the CNMI’s “spending plan” for the money it got from the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security Act.
Torres said all resident fishermen and qualified fishing businesses who sustained losses are eligible.
Qualifying businesses refer to commercial fishing businesses, charter-for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture businesses, fish processors, and dealers.
All eligible applicants will receive assistance based on an approved formula that will determine the amounts of help for businesses and individual fishermen.
Application distribution will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, and the deadline to submit applications is March 1, 2021.
The distribution of assistance checks will be made directly via mail from the NOAA Hawaii Office to approved businesses and fishermen between May 3 and June 16, 2021.