USDA Providing $530M to Seafood Industry, Fishermen Impacted by Tariffs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Sept. 9 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide approximately $530 million to support the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“Many nations have not played by the rules for a long time, and President Trump is the first President to stand up to them and send a clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate unfair trade practices,” Secretary Perdue said. “The Seafood Trade Relief Program ensures fishermen and other U.S. producers will not stand alone in facing unjustified retaliatory tariffs while President Trump continues working to solidify better and stronger trade deals around the globe.”

Background:

The Seafood Trade Relief Program funding will support the following seafood types:

• Atka mackerel
• Crab, Dungeness, King, Snow, Southern Tanner
• Flounder
• Geoduck
• Goosefish
• iStockHerrings
• Lobster
• Pacific Cod
• Pacific Ocean Perch
• Pollock
• Sablefish
• Salmon
• Sole
• Squid
• Tuna
• Turbot

Fishermen can sign-up for relief through the program from Sept. 14 to Dec. 14. Fishermen should apply through their local USDA Service Center. To find your local Service Center, visit www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator. The application can be found at www.farmers.gov/seafood.