Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement after announcing a sum of $3,000,000 has been allocated from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to assist V.I. fisheries that have been negatively affected by COVID–19:
“Today, NOAA has announced the allocation of $3 million in fisheries assistance funding provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, for marine fishery participants in the Virgin Islands who have been negatively affected by COVID–19.
“Virgin Islands fisheries can use these funds to address direct or indirect fishery-related losses as well as subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial impacts related to COVID-19.
“Fishery participants eligible for funding — including commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors, and other fishery-related businesses — should work with the local marine fisheries management agencies to understand the process for applying for these funds.”
