Sen. Maria Cantwell said many fisherman have been without federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic until now as the CARES Act is supplying funding to seafood and charter boat industries. | Facebook
Sen. Maria Cantwell said many fisherman have been without federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic until now as the CARES Act is supplying funding to seafood and charter boat industries. | Facebook
Seafood and charter boat industries in Washington state will be provided with $50 million in federal aid to help them recover from direct and indirect fishery-related losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thousands of fishermen around the Pacific Northwest are feeling the impacts of restaurant, fishing and tourism closures,” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) told The Seattle Times. “Due to the unique nature of fishing businesses, many have been left without federal assistance until now.”
The funding, which is part of CARES ACT economic stimulus package, will be distributed through direct assistance methods such as grants. In addition to fisherman, others eligible for the federal aid include tribes, processors and charter boat operators.
While the charter boat industry was forced to shut down in March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the seafood industry has stayed open as it plays an essential role in food production, according to the Seattle Times. But it has been struggling as the result of restaurants not being able to offer sit-down dining options.
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