CARES ACT FUNDING DEADLINE DEC. 4 FOR NJ FISHERMEN - The Fisherman

CARES ACT FUNDING DEADLINE DEC. 4 FOR NJ FISHERMEN


The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and its Division of Fish and Wildlife has extended the application period for CARES Act fisheries relief to 5 p.m. Friday, December 4.  Commercial fisheries, aquaculture, for-hire fisheries, processors, commercial fish/shellfish dealers/wholesalers, and manufacturers are eligible to receive assistance.

Funding is available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) for coastal and marine fishery participants negatively affected by the COVID–19 crisis. In developing the funding guidelines earlier this year, NOAA Fisheries said state plans must describe the main categories for funding, including direct payments, fishery-related infrastructure, and fishery-related education that address direct and indirect COVID-19 impacts to commercial fishermen, charter businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, subsistence/cultural/ceremonial users, processors, and other fishery-related businesses.

According to NOAA Fisheries, eligible members of the recreational fishing industry will ultimately work with their individual state marine fisheries management agencies on eligibility and dispensation.

To be eligible:

  • Applicants must have experienced a greater than 35 percent loss in fishery related revenues between March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020, as compared to their 5-year average revenue for the same time period.
  • Individual applicants must be New Jersey residents and business applicants must be located in New Jersey.
  • Applicants must have been in business for at least one year prior to 2020.
  • Applicants will be required to provide a total estimate of revenue for the full year of 2020 and provide information on all Covid-19 related financial assistance that they are receiving.
  • Applicants must meet all mandatory licensing and permitting requirements in their sector for 2020.

The online application in New Jersey is available through the NJDEP electronic grants management system, NJDEP SAGE at https://njdepsage.intelligrants.com.

For more information visit:

CARES Act Information

CARES Act FAQs

CARES Act Disaster Relief Resources (ASMFC)

For questions or concerns, e-mail njfisheriesaid@dep.nj.gov or call 609-748-2020.