The Ins and Outs of Direct Assistance for Fisheries
Sign-ups are well underway for farmers and ranchers seeking financial assistance provided through USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. As of mid-June, nearly $3 billion has been delivered to livestock, dairy, non-specialty crop and specialty crop producers.
Along with CFAP, the CARES Act provided $300 million for direct assistance to marine fisheries that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, e.g., commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors and other fishery-related businesses. This article reviews the provisions outlined in Sec. 12005 of the CARES Act and by the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which will be distributing the funds.