NJDEP’s Marine Resources Administration (MRA) is partnering with New Jersey’s Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture to provide reimbursements for eligible COVID-19 expenses incurred by NJ’s seafood processors, including processing vessels and dealers, between Jan. 27, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021, through the newly established New Jersey Seafood Processor COVID-19 Assistance Program.

Eligible activities for reimbursement include:

• Workplace safety measures;
• Retrofit of facilities for worker and consumer safety;
• Market pivots;
• Medical costs associated with providing or purchasing COVID-19 testing.

Applicants eligible for reimbursement must have held all required valid licenses and permits to operate as a seafood processor and/or dealer within the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service required timeframe. Neither cost sharing nor matching funds are required.

The application period for the New Jersey Seafood Processor COVID-19 Assistance Program will close on July 29, 2022 at 5 pm EST.

Additional information can be found here.

Sign up for the Marine Fisheries Grants and Assistance Information email list.

Email questions to njfisheriesaid@dep.nj.gov or call (609)748-2020.