On May 7, 2020, the Secretary of Commerce announced the allocation of $300 million in fisheries assistance funding provided by Sec. 12005 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also called the CARES Act, to states, Tribes, and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants who have been negatively affected by COVID-19.
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) used these allocations to make awards to its partners-the interstate marine fisheries commissions, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands-to disburse funds to address direct or indirect fishery-related losses as well as subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial impacts related to COVID-19. New Jersey will receive $11,247,242, the fourth highest amount on the Atlantic coast.
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was passed, allocating an additional $300 million in fisheries assistance funding. The State of New Jersey was allocated $9,439,080 in funding. $8,032,163 of this funding will be distributed directly to eligible fisheries assistance applicants.
This site will provide interested parties with the information that is currently available, particularly for New Jersey residents. This site will be updated continually as more information becomes available. Please check back regularly.