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CNMI to receive $1M in fisheries assistance
The Northern Marianas is set to receive $1 million in CARES Act funding for coastal and marine fisheries assistance.
The funding assistance is part of the allocation of $300 million in fisheries assistance provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, to states, tribes, and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants negatively affected by the pandemic.
The money may be used to offset losses caused by the coronavirus to commercial, subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial fishing, said Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) in his weekly e-newsletter, adding that losses may be direct or indirect, and must constitute at least 35% of revenue.
Under the CARES Act, the U.S. Department of Commerce is authorized to provide assistance to tribal, subsistence, commercial, and charter fishery participants affected by COVID–19. This may include direct relief payments.
“This relief package will support America’s fishermen and our seafood sector’s recovery,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries will be working with its partners to disburse the funds.
For the purposes of the funding, “fishery-related businesses,” according to NOAA, is limited to commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors, and dealers. Vessel repair businesses, restaurants, or seafood retailers are not considered as such. “NOAA Fisheries generally does not expect bait and tackle operations and gear and vessel suppliers to be eligible for Section 12005 funding. However, individual states, Tribes, and territories will have the discretion to determine how they will identify eligible fishery participants, consistent with the requirements of the CARES Act, in their spend plans.”
To access the fund, a spending plan for the money must be developed by the Commonwealth that is consistent with the CARES Act requirements and the NOAA guidance.
