Senator Murray Announces Millions in Fishery Assistance Funding for COVID-19 Response in Washington State

$50 million in funding provided in the CARES Act will go to eligible Washington state commercial, tribal, subsistence, and charter fisheries 

Senator Murray: “As this crisis continues, I’m going to keep working to get fishers, Tribal members, shellfish growers and everyone else who relies on this vital industry the help they need to get through this”

ICYMI: Senators Murray, Cantwell announce long awaited fishery disaster assistance funds – MORE HERE

ICYMI: Senator Murray speaks with shellfish growers and farmers about impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Washington state aquaculture – MORE HERE

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $50 million dollars in fisheries assistance funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for Washington state fisheries, Tribes, and fishery-related businesses. The funding is a significant part of the $300 million in total fishery relief funding that Senator Murray successfully secured in the CARES Act. Washington state received more of this relief funding than any other state, besides Alaska, which received the same amount.

“I’m glad we pushed in Congress to direct some much needed relief to our state’s hard-hit fishing and aquaculture communities, which are such a vital part of the state’s economy and culture,” Senator Murray said. “As this crisis continues, I’m going to keep working to get fishers, Tribal members, shellfish growers and everyone else who relies on this vital industry the help they need to get through this.” 

This funding announcement follows weeks of action by Senator Murray to ensure that the needs of Washington state’s fishing and aquaculture industries are being addressed by the federal government, and that the state’s tribes and fisheries receive the support and aid that they need to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, after prolonged efforts by Senator Murray, the Senator announced the distribution of $8.4 million in fishery disaster relief funding for Washington state that she originally helped to procure in 2018. Senator Murray also spoke with shellfish farmers and growers from Willapa Bay to Coupeville who have been struggling significantly during the current crisis and discussed with them how she can best support Washington state’s aquaculture industries in the Senate.

###