Saving Seafood

Massachusetts urges fishing industry to apply for $24M in virus aid

July 21, 2021 — Massachusetts’ fishing industry is being urged to apply for nearly $24 million in federal coronavirus relief funds.

Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration said Tuesday that commercial fishermen, shellfish farmers and seafood processors, and for-hire recreational vessel owners are eligible for the aid through $2.2 trillion stimulus bill passed by Congress last year.

Baker said the funds are meant to mitigate losses incurred last year when demand for seafood and for-hire fishing services declined.

“The fishing industry was particularly hard hit during the pandemic, with very limited exports of seafood and a big downturn in restaurant sales,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said in a statement. “The distribution of an additional $23.8 million will give needed relief to fishermen and fishing related businesses who have been severely impacted by the pandemic.”

Read the full story at the Associated Press

MASSACHUSETTS: Applications open for second round of COVID-19 fisheries relief

July 21, 2021 — The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries mailed applications to seafood processers, wholesalers, commercial fishermen and aquaculture farmers on Tuesday — officially opening the state’s second round of CARES Act relief for fisheries.

The funds are intended to mitigate the financial impacts on marine fisheries participants that suffered more than a 35% loss of revenue due to the pandemic.

“Things are definitely recovering, we’re seeing high prices for many shellfish species, finfish, lobster, scallops,” said DMF Director Daniel McKiernan. “There’s a lot of demand for seafood right now so 2021 is looking like a really great year for the industry, but there’s still deficits from what happened last year that these funds will help mitigate.”

This may be the last chance for fisheries to get major COVID-19 relief funds. McKiernan said he wasn’t aware of any state or federal relief planned beyond this round.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

No payouts made yet for fisheries relief

July 15, 2021 — Regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Fisheries Relief program, no payouts have been made to date, said John P. Sanchez, assistant administrator, Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse on Wednesday.

The original payout distribution dates for this program were scheduled to begin toward the end of May and run through the middle part of June.

However, in mid-June, the grants office received correspondence from the Pacific State Fisheries Marine Commission requesting taxpayer identification and certification information for each of the applicants.

“The W9 form was never noted in the original application requirement and therefore was never requested from those submitting applications. Our team reached out to the applicants and requested that they submit the additional document,” Sanchez said.

Read the full story at Marinas Variety

Group cries foul on congressional restaurant funding going to non-food focused businesses

July 14, 2021 — Many small independent restaurants were left out of the most recent round of United States government funding via the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, according to the Independent Restaurant Coalition. Instead, the group claims many non-food-focused businesses such as management companies, hotel chains, and recreational facilities obtained funding they shouldn’t have.

Sixty-seven businesses received a USD 10 million (EUR 8.5 million) RRF grant –the most money a business entity could receive. They included Lucky Strike Entertainment, a 16-unit bowling alley chain; Windsor Hospitality, a Marriott/Embassy Suites hotel management company; the foodservice establishments within the France pavilion at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida; Sweet Hospitality Group, a concessions company for Broadway theater; franchisees of McDonald’s, Jimmy John’s, Panera Bread, Dunkin, and Golden Corral; and eight airport and sports venue concessions companies, Nation’s Restaurant News reported.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute to receive millions in CARES Act funding

July 1, 2021 — The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) will receive USD 3 million (EUR 2.5 million) in CARES Act funding to help cover additional costs precipitated by COVID-19, money that should help the organization rework pandemic-era marketing strategies.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy recently announced the allocation to ASMI, Alaska’s largest marketing association for seafood.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

N.J. fishing industry to get another $9.5M for COVID relief

June 9, 2021 — An incoming tide of federal dollars aims to lift a few boats, bait shops and seafood markets in the Garden State.

New Jersey is set to receive another $9.5 million in COVID-19 relief money for the state’s fishing industry, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th, announced Tuesday.

“New Jersey’s fishing communities were deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which is why I fought so hard to include robust funding for them in Congress,” Pallone said in a statement. “I want the hardworking men and women who make our fishing industry so strong to know they have my support. I’m glad we were able to ensure that the fishing community in New Jersey is receiving assistance to weather this ongoing economic storm.”

Commercial and recreational fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in New Jersey, supporting tens of thousands of jobs. But the sector was hit hard by the pandemic. Prices for fish plunged as restaurant demand evaporated. Charter boats spent weeks tied to docks after COVID-19 safety measures were put in place.

Read the full story at NJ.com

WASHINGTON: WDFW seeks feedback on plan to distribute $40 million in relief funding to commercial fishing, charter fishing, seafood processing and shellfish aquaculture industry members

May 28, 2021 — The following was released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is looking for feedback from commercial fishers, shellfish growers, charter boat owners, seafood processors, and members of the public as it develops a spending plan for $40 million in federal relief funding for industry members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding is part of an additional $255 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding approved by the U.S. Congress that followed an initial $300 appropriation, of which Washington state received $50 million, last summer. The current allocation includes $30 million for all federally recognized tribes in coastal states and the Great Lakes and $15 million for Great Lakes states.

“We’re thrilled to be able to begin the process to provide another round of relief funding distributed to support commercial seafood, charter and shellfish aquaculture industry members here in Washington state,” said Ron Warren, WDFW fish policy director. “We applaud our federal leaders for relentlessly championing this funding. As we develop a fair and balanced plan to distribute this funding, it’s critical that we hear from industry members most impacted by the pandemic.”

In coordination with the Governor’s Office, WDFW will be working with the state departments of Agriculture and Commerce to develop criteria for receiving funding assistance based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) guidance.

Once developed, Washington will submit its plan to NOAA fisheries for approval and then to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to manage the application process and distribute funds.

To learn more and provide feedback, industry members are invited to tune in to an online public meeting at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 8: https://zoom.us/j/96045781724

For more information on how to participate and to find call-in details, visit wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/commercial/federal-disaster-assistance/cares-act. The meeting will be recorded and posted online so people can also watch the meetings afterwards at their convenience.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.

States Begin Work on Second Round of COVID-19 Funds as Some First Round Funds Falter

May 17, 2021 — Last year’s $300 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding was intended to help fishermen, processors and tribes as the COVID-19 virus disrupted markets, displaced workers and generally created havoc around the globe.

But some of that funding has yet to be distributed, even as a second round of federal funding is pending. An additional $255 million in fisheries assistance funding was provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and announced by NMFS in late March.

Read the full story at Seafood News

NORTH CAROLINA: $5.2M in Relief Awarded to Fishing Industry

May 4, 2021 — More than $5.2 million in financial assistance is on its way to those eligible in fishing industries who sustained income losses because of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries issued funds last week to 197 commercial fishermen and marine aquaculture operations, for-hire fishing operations, and seafood dealers and processors, deemed eligible for assistance from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act Fisheries Relief Program, the division said Friday.

The following payments were made:

Stakeholder Category

Number of
Applications

Number
Approved

Assistance Awarded

Percent of  Total Award
Commercial Fishermen and Marine Aquaculture Operations

217

137

$3,374,022

64.2%
Seafood Dealers and Processors

35

26

$1,447,221

27.5%
For-Hire Fishing Operations

39

34

$434,243

8.3%
Total

291

197

$5,255,486

100%

An additional $161,287 went toward Division of Marine Fisheries administrative costs.

The state was allocated about $5.4 million in May 2020 from the federal CARES Act for financial relief through direct payments to fishery-related stakeholder groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full story at Coastal Review Online

Some Delaware Fishermen Remain Hopeful Amid Potential of Federal Money, Busy Summer

April 26, 2021 — On a recent sunny afternoon in April, groups of people sat on the edge of the dock at Anglers Marina in Lewes, where large charter and fishing boats loomed on blocks behind them.

The captains, crew members and other anglers at the marina are preparing for an expected busy spring and summer after the COVID-19 pandemic spurred activity in some parts of the industry, while slowing and suspending it in others.

Read the full story at Seafood News