Hurricane Michael Fisheries Disaster Relief
Hurricane Michael struck the Florida Panhandle as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph on October 10, 2018. This category 5 hurricane left a trail of destruction throughout Florida's panhandle, with estimated damages of $25 billion, including estimated damages to fishery related businesses of $45 million, and reported revenue losses estimated to be $23.9 million.
In response, NOAA Fisheries allocated $7,804,188 to provide relief to the Florida fishery.
The projects being funded through this program include:
Budget: $475,946
Overview: This program will assist charter captains and ensure continued viability of the industry. For-hire loss in revenue was estimated to be $2.7 million. The charter fishing industry is an important economic component of many communities, providing access to fishing opportunities for both tourists and residents. Direct payouts will minimize the impact that Hurricane Michael had on licensed charter captains’ revenues to help ensure that they can continue to provide their services to recreational fishers in Florida in the future. Applications will be sent to all licensed charter holders who were registered in Bay, Franklin, Gulf or Wakulla County between October 2017 to October 2018. Applicants must provide their revenue generated from their charter business both before (not to exceed three years) and one year after the storm on an October 11 – October 10 timeframe. Eligible applications will be those who sustained a financial loss as a for-hire charter of at least $1,000 one year after storm compared to up to a three-year average prior to storm Individual payouts will be calculated based on total losses identified from applicants.
Current Status: Qualified applications were processed in May.
Budget: $1,308,850
Overview: This project will be coordinated with FDACS. A crop loss revenue reimbursement program is proposed to provide economic recovery of the marine aquaculture industry in Bay, Franklin, Gulf, and Wakulla Counties. Applications will be sent to all entities who have valid Aquaculture Certificates of Registration and meet the eligibility requirements, which includes holding a current Aquaculture Submerged Land Lease or Authorized User Acknowledgement with FDACS at the time of Hurricane Michael (FY18-19) and currently (FY20-21) for the same parcel, and the completion of a 2018 Internal Audit of an Existing Sovereignty Submerged Land Shellfish Aquaculture Lease. Applicants will be reimbursed at a proportional loss value of the total funding amount.
Current Status: Qualified applications were processed in May.
Budget: $1,748,798
Overview: This program will assist commercial fishers financially impacted by Hurricane Michael. Fishermen in the counties most impacted by Hurricane Michael (Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla Counties) sustained an estimated $9.3 million loss in revenues. Applications will be sent to all entities who meet initial eligible requirements, which include Florida residency, a valid Saltwater Products License (SP) at the time of the storm, a current and active SP, and reported trip tickets in Bay, Gulf, Franklin, and/or Wakulla Counties at least one year prior to the storm. Individual payouts will be calculated based on total losses identified from eligible applicants.
Current Status: Qualified applications were processed in April.
Budget: $2,498,714 (combined with Project #5)
Overview: Seafood processors and dealers sustained estimated damages of $11.3 million. Commercial fishers and wholesale dealers are dependent upon each other to provide the public with wholesome, healthy Florida seafood. Applications will be sent to all entities who meet initial eligible requirements, which include Florida residency, a valid WD License at the time of the storm with a physical location in Bay, Gulf, Franklin, or Wakulla County, a current and active WD, had purchases, via reported trip tickets, in Bay, Gulf, Franklin, and/or Wakulla Counties at least one year prior to the storm. Applicants will be required to provide their business’ revenue both before (not to exceed three years) and one year after the storm on an October 11 – October 10 timeframe. Eligible revenue loss applications will be those who sustained at least $1,000 less value in revenue one year after storm compared to up to a three-year average prior to storm. Individual payouts will be calculated based on total losses (reported revenue loss and, if applicable, facility damage) identified from applicants.
Current Status: Qualified applications were processed in May.
Budget: $2,498,714 (combined with Project #4)
Overview: Applicants will be able to request financial relief from incurred costs associated with uninsured facility damage. Facility damage reimbursement will be done at a 50% match for uninsured repair made to facilities from October 11, 2018 – December 31, 2019. Applicants will need to certify that reimbursements are for uninsured damages or improvements to the facility or equipment, supply proof of costs of repairs or improvements, and allow FWC staff to conduct a physical inspection of the commercial facility.
Current Status: Qualified applications were processed in May.
Budget: $1,665,810
Overview: Access to fishing from marinas is important to Florida’s fishing economy. As Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle, public fishing access infrastructure at marinas was damaged. This program will reimburse marina operators for up to a 50% match for uninsured repair and improvements made to facilities from October 11, 2018 – December 31, 2019. Successful applicants will be those with physical addresses within Bay, Franklin, Gulf, or Wakulla County. Applicants will need to certify that reimbursements are for uninsured damages or improvements to the facility or equipment, supply proof of costs of repairs or improvements, and allow FWC staff to conduct a physical inspection of the commercial facility.
Current Status: Qualified applications were processed in June.
For more information, please contact the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 or MichaelRelief@MyFWC.com