“Round 2” CARES Act funding for Hawaii‘i’s commercial fishing industry – applications available next week

Through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Congress and NOAA have allocated an additional $3.6 million to eligible Hawaii fishery participants affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  Applications for “Round 2” CARES Act assistance will be available beginning Monday, August 16, 2021, through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) website.

Applications must be submitted to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission by September 30, 2021. Interested applicants should carefully review Hawaii’s Round 2 spend plan (also available on the PSMFC website) to determine their eligibility.  At a minimum, applicants must be able to claim:

  • Economic revenue losses greater than 35% as compared to the prior 5-year* average revenue; or
  • any negative impacts to subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial fisheries

*Entities that have been in business less than five years are still eligible for assistance.

Fishery participants eligible for funding include commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, wholesale seafood dealers and processors, subsistence/cultural/ceremonial fishers, and other fishery-related businesses.

If you have CARES Act related questions, please email [email protected] or call toll free (877) 695-3457.