Saving Seafood

Reminder: USDA Now Accepting Applications for Seafood Trade Relief Program

October 29, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making approximately $530 million available to assist U.S. fishermen through the Seafood Trade Relief Program. This program is funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation and administered by the Farm Service Agency.

The program will provide direct support to U.S. commercial fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs. To qualify, they must hold a valid federal or state license or permit. Additionally, their catch must be sold or transferred to a permitted or licensed seafood dealer or by a permitted dealer if the catch is processed at sea. Seafood products grown in a controlled environment are not eligible for the program (except geoducks and salmon).

Payments are based on 2019 landings of:

  • Atka Mackerel

  • Dungeness Crab

  • King Crab

  • Snow Crab

  • Southern Tanner Crab

  • Flounder

  • Geoduck

  • Goosefish

  • Herring

  • Lobster

  • Pacific Cod

  • Pacific Ocean Perch

  • Pollock

  • Sablefish

  • Salmon

  • Sole

  • Squid

  • Tuna

  • Turbot

Fishermen can sign up for relief through the program from September 14, 2020 to December 14, 2020.  Sign up for the Program.

USDA offers seafood industry more than $500 million to make up for trade war damage

September 10, 2020 — US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Wednesday the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide approximately $530 million (€449 million) to support the US seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments.

The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), according to the agency.

“Many nations have not played by the rules for a long time, and President Trump is the first President to stand up to them and send a clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate unfair trade practices,” he said.

“The Seafood Trade Relief Program ensures fishermen and other US producers will not stand alone in facing unjustified retaliatory tariffs while President Trump continues working to solidify better and stronger trade deals around the globe.”

Read the full story at IntraFish

USDA proffers USD 530 million to seafood industry via Seafood Trade Relief Program

September 10, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday, 9 September, it will provide approximately USD 530 million (EUR 445.6 million) to seafood harvesters in the United States to compensate them for losses caused by retaliatory tariffs.

Up to USD 250,000 (EUR 209,967) will be made available to individual fishermen or businesses whose primary function is harvesting seafood and who have been harmed by tariffs imposed by foreign nations. The funding will be disbursed through the Seafood Trade Relief Program funding via the Commodity Credit Corporation, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Eligible individuals or companies can apply for relief from 14 September to 14 December through their local USDA Service Center. The application can be found here.

Read the full story at Seafood Source