WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced that Louisiana fisheries will receive $14.8 million in assistance to address economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated many important parts of Louisiana’s economy, including fisheries. This is welcomed funding that will help our fisheries address their losses and make it through these very challenging times. More needs to be done, but this is a great start,” said Dr. Cassidy.
Cassidy has been the leading advocate for Louisiana fisheries in Washington. He led a letter from the Louisiana delegation asking for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). He also signed onto a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership asking that additional relief be provided in any future stimulus bills.
The CARES Act provided $300 million in funding to assist hard-hit fisheries in states and territories. Louisiana is receiving the eighth largest investment of those states and territories receiving funding.
Fishery participants eligible for funding—including Tribes, commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors, and other fishery-related businesses—should work with their state marine fisheries management agencies, territories, or Tribe to understand the process for applying for these funds.
Funds will be provided to the Gulf States Regional Fishery Commission that will work with the States to develop plans for how these dollars will be spent. More information on accessing funding will be available soon on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association website.
More on funding breakdown and disbursement can be found here.
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