AK CARES Act Funding for Fishermen
/UPDATE: the application period for the AK CARES Act closed September 15th, 2020
Starting August 6th, many Bristol Bay fishermen will be eligible for AK CARES Act funding, which was recently expanded to include commercial fishermen. You can read the announcement about the AK CARES Act expansion via KINY here. The State of Alaska has also provided a very helpful Informational Sheet and Checklist. This program provides grants of up to $100,000 to commercial fishermen on a first-come, first-served basis. So, you’ll want to read the Informational Sheet and Checklist closely and be prepared to apply at https://www.akcaresonline.org/ when the new application goes live on August 6, 2020.
**There are questions concerning the eligibility of out of state fishermen. Fishermen are required to have a valid Alaska Limited Entry Permit or Interim Use Permit in 2019 and 2020. Any information BBRSDA learns about this will be shared immediately with the fleet. As it is first-come first-serve funding, we encourage any fishermen who think they may be eligible to apply as soon as possible on or after August 6th and see how their application is interpreted.
Commercial fishermen are eligible for the program, but there are some notable restrictions. The following people/businesses are NOT eligible for the program:
• Businesses that are a secondary income source or part time endeavor
• Out of State businesses
• Business that received and kept more than $5,000 from the SBA’s PPP and/or EIDL programs (however, you could be eligible if funds in excess of $5,000 are returned, see the Informational Sheet for more info).
• Business with more than 50 full-time equivalent employees (on average).
• Businesses which have filed for bankruptcy
• Businesses who do not otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.
• Commercial fishermen who did not actively fish in 2019.
• Commercial fishermen that did not renew their permit and did not receive a gear card for 2020.
• Commercial fishermen who hold a permit for a fishery that was closed in 2019 and 2020.
• Commercial fishermen that emergency transferred their permit and did not actively fish themselves in 2019 and/or 2020.
Details:
This assistance is disbursed in the form of grants, not loans. There is no repayment required except in the case of malfeasance.
Fishermen operating as either a small businesses or sole proprietorships may apply. See Informational Sheet and Checklist for all eligible business types.
Assistance will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible applicants until the earlier of: November 15, 2020, the end of the Governor’s declared state of emergency, or once the program’s cap has been met.
If you have questions about the AK CARES Act program, you may reach out to the State of Alaska’s Matt Fagnani (matthew.fagnani@alaska.gov) or SWAMC (SW Alaska Municipal Conference) at forward@swamc.org or 907-242-4077. Also, please send BBRSDA (info@bbrsda.com) any questions you have about the program, as we are working with the State on assembling a FAQ sheet for fishermen.
BBRSDA is also working on updating our financial assistance guidance for the fleet and is corresponding with federal agencies and legislative offices about the significant need for financial assistance due to the low price this season. Visit the Covid-19 Aid page for information on other programs.
