Marine Fisheries Relief Programs and Grant Opportunities

When a fisheries disaster is declared or another highly impactful fisheries-related event occurs, relief funds may become available to financially assist fisheries-related businesses in their recovery efforts or operational needs.  Funding may be appropriated from the Federal government or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Following guidance from each relief program's funding source, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) works with intended recipients to create relief programs to assist in the most economical and meaningful ways possible.

Other Federal or state funding sources may be intended to create opportunities for marine fisheries-related entities or persons in the form of a grant program.  These programs often focus on research, innovation, economic and environmental resilience/growth, or marketing.  Funded grant projects should have a widespread impact or shareable outcome for the public and fisheries-related businesses.

Open Relief Programs and Grant Opportunities

Atlantic Herring Fishery Disaster Relief Program
• Potential Applicants: Massachusetts herring fishery participants (commercial fishing vessels and wholesale dealer-primary buyers)
• Application period: Coming soon in April 2023

Financial Assistance for Electronic Tracking Devices on Federal Lobster Vessels
• Potential Applicants: Persons or entities with a vessel in Massachusetts that is federally permitted to trap fish for lobster
• Application period: March 17, 2023 - 2025

Lobster Gear Relief Program for Dual Permit Holders
• Potential Applicants: Massachusetts coastal lobster permit holders who trap fish in state and federal waters
• Application period: February 15, 2023 - April 1, 2023

Seafood Marketing Small Grant Program
• Potential Applicants: Open to the public; proposed work should be related to marine commercial fisheries, seafood, or aquaculture.
• Application period: Ongoing

Closed Relief Programs and Grant Opportunities

Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program
• Potential Applicants: Open to the public; proposed work should relate to increasing equitable access to locally produced/harvested food, i.e. farms, fisheries, etc.
• Application period: The application deadline was March 2, 2023; proposals are currently under review.

Environmental Economic Innovation Grant
• Potential Applicants: Open to the public; proposed work should be related to marine commercial fisheries, seafood, or aquaculture.
•  Application period: The application deadline was November 22, 2022. Proposals are currently under review and this program may reopen in the future.

Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program
• Recipients: Eligible Massachusetts seafood processors and wholesale dealers seeking specific COVID-19 relief.
• Funds fully distributed: October 2022

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Fisheries Relief (Round II)
• Recipients: Eligible Massachusetts businesses permitted for seafood processing & wholesale dealer, for-hire (charter and head boat), commercial harvest, and aquaculture.
• Funds fully distributed: October 2021

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Fisheries Relief (Round I)
• Recipients: Eligible Massachusetts businesses permitted for seafood processing & wholesale dealer, for-hire (charter and head boat), commercial harvest, and aquaculture.
• Funds fully distributed: November 2020

Additional Ongoing MA DMF Grant Opportunities

Massachusetts Clean Vessel Act Program (CVA)
• Potential Applicants: Open to the public; proposed work should provide free pumpout service to Massachusetts recreational boaters.
• Application period: Ongoing

Massachusetts Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG)
• Potential Applicants: Open to the public; proposed work should fund facilities for Massachusetts recreational boaters.
• Application period: Ongoing

Saltwater Fishing Public Access Small Grants Program
• Potential Applicants: Open to the public; proposed work should fund projects that provide public access for saltwater fishing in Massachusetts.
• Application period: Ongoing

Questions

For inquiries related to commercial fisheries-related relief and grant programs administered by MA DMF, please email us at [e-mail].

For Seafood Marketing Small Grant Program inquiries, please email Wendy Mainardi at [e-mail].

For CVA or BIG inquiries, please email Cecil French at [e-mail].

For Saltwater Fishing Public Access inquiries, please email Ross Kessler at [e-mail].