State Agencies are offering the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant to aid seafood processors during the pandemic.

State agencies will provide funds to seafood processors and processing vessels. State agencies should conduct outreach to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are aware of this relief and understand the requirements of the funding opportunity. Each processing facility or vessel may apply separately for funding. Processors may only apply once for each location or vessel. State agencies should determine funding amounts based on their local conditions and industry needs. Funds can cover the activities associated with:

Workplace Safety Measures: Workplace safety measures, including, but not limited to, personal protective equipment, sanitizer, hand washing stations, air filters, thermometers, cleaning supplies, or similar items.

Market Pivots: Market pivots such as transition to virtual/online sales costs (online platform development and fees, online marketing, credit card processing fees), supplies, new signage.

Retrofitting Facilities: Retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety (retrofitting harvester vessels for onboard vessel processing to maximize open-air activities, plexiglass, walk up windows, heat lamps, fans, tents, propane, weights, tables, chairs).

Transportation: Additional transportation costs incurred to maintain social distancing.

Worker Housing: Additional worker housing costs incurred to maintain social distancing or to allow for quarantining of new or exposed employees.

Medical: Unreimbursed costs associated with providing or enabling vaccinations, testing, or healthcare treatment of infected employees, including any paid leave.