The Rebuilding Florida Fisheries Program was established to provide financial assistance from the Florida Disaster Fund and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to support fishery participants impacted by the 2024 Florida hurricane season. This application serves to provide direct payments to support immediate needs to reopen fishery operations. Requests to repair or replace fishery-related items and equipment, as well as reimbursement for repairs and replacements already performed, are eligible through this program. Eligible fishery-related components include, but are not limited to, docks, boat slips, brick and docks, boat slips, brick and mortar infrastructure, ice machines and other related equipment, vessels, gear, lost/spoiled product, and seed/spat.
To potentially be eligible for financial assistance through this program, you must:
- Be a commercial fisher, commercial fishery wholesaler, bait and tackle business, for-hire charter, or aquaculture farmer, verified throughout the applicable state licensing entity.
- Operate your fishery business within Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, or Taylor County.
- Been impacted by the 2024 Florida hurricane season.
To potentially receive compensation, you must complete the Certification and Acknowledgment Form, and the Loss and Damages Form. Further information about this program and the application forms can be accessed here.
