


Learn more about topics related to fishery disaster assistance including overall fishery disaster determination process, laws and authorities covering fishery disaster assistance, eligibility for and requesting fishery disaster assistance, and the process for providing disaster assistance.
A fishery disaster refers to a commercial fishery failure, a catastrophic regional fishery disaster, significant harm incurred, or a serious disruption affecting future production due to a fishery resource disaster arising from natural, undetermined, or in certain circumstances man-made causes.
An eligible entity requests a fishery disaster determination from the Secretary.
NOAA Fisheries conducts an evaluation of the information provided by the requester.
The Secretary makes a determination based on the evaluation and notifies the requester of the determination.
Congress may appropriate funds for fishery disaster relief.
If Congress appropriates funds, NOAA Fisheries works with the affected entities to distribute the funds consistent with the statutory requirements and conditions of the appropriation.
Under both statutes, a request for a fishery disaster determination is made to the Secretary by the state governor or by an elected or duly appointed representative of an affected fishing community.
The Secretary may also initiate a review at his or her own discretion.