In response to COVID-19, there have been 2 acts for fisheries relief funding.

Consolidated Appropriations Act -- Fisheries Assistance Program (CAAFAP)

CARES Act Fishery Disaster Assistance Program

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Consolidated Appropriations Act -- Fisheries Assistance Program (CAAFAP)

On March 29, 2021, NOAA Fisheries announced the allocation of an additional $255 million in fisheries assistance funding for coastal states provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The funding will support activities previously authorized under Sec. 12005 of the CARES Act. It will be allocated to states and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants who have been negatively affected by COVID-19.
For More Information:

• NOAA Announcement
• Secretary of Commerce Announcement

There are 4 groups eligible for relief funds; aquaculture, commercial fishing, party and charter, and seafood processors.

Application Available HERE Workbook to Support Applications Data request form for data in support of Consolidated Appropriations Act -- Fisheries Assistance Program (CAAFAP) Applications. Requests are due by 4PM September 20, 2021.

The first meeting by RIDMF was held April 28, 2021 to go over the general program.

• Presentation

The second meeting by RIDMF was held June 1, 2021 to go over the feedback received.

• Presentation

The third meeting by RIDMF was held June 16, 2021 to go over the final spend plan.

• DRAFT Spend Plan
• Presentation

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CARES Act Fishery Disaster Assistance Program

Regulations Part 16 - Emergency Regulations Governing the Administration of Federal Fisheries Relief Funding Provided to the State of Rhode Island Under the CARES Act

The Secretary of Commerce announced on May 7, 2020 the allocation of $300 million in fisheries relief funding in response to COVID-19 through the CARES Act. Funding has been made available to states. RI has been allocated $3,294,234 to distribute amongst fishery participants. The announcement can be found here.

There are 4 groups eligible for relief funds; aquaculture, commercial fishing, party and charter, and seafood processors.

General program.

• The first meeting was held June 15, 2020.
• Presentation
• Meeting Recording
• Second meeting held July 22, 2020
• This meeting was for comments on the spend plan and affidavit/application.
• Meeting Recording
• Third meeting held July 30, 2020
• This meeting was for comments on the spend plan and affidavit/application.
• Meeting Recording
• Fourth meeting held September 2, 2020
• Presentation
• Meeting Recording

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Aquaculture specific information.

• First meeting was held July 8
• Presentation
• Meeting Recording

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Commercial fishing specific information

• First meeting was held July 13
• Presentation
• Meeting Recording

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Party and Charter specific information

• First meeting was held June 29
• Presentation
• Meeting Recording

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Seafood processor specific information

• First meeting was held on July 9
• Presentation
• No meeting recording available