Nearly $2 million in federal funding will be provided for the New York Great Lakes Fisheries Relief Program.
The funds come from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and will assist the state's Great Lakes fishing industry following the significant economic losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible fishery sectors include commercial harvesters and for-hire fishing operations based in the New York waters of Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, including the Upper and Lower Niagara River and the St. Lawrence River.
Eligible New Yorkers must have participated in these fishing industries in 2020 and the previous five years. They must also demonstrate a greater than 35% revenue loss from fishery-related revenue during the pandemic, from March 2020 through December 2021.
Eligible seafood, commercial fishing and recreational for-hire fishing businesses will be able to apply for the funding until April 15. More information is available at the state Department of Environmental Conservation website.
