COVID-19 Response Funding for Municipal Shellfish Programs and Industry Support

PURPOSE & SCOPE

These guidelines contain the information and forms required to apply for the COVID-19 Response Funding for Municipal Shellfish Programs and Industry Support Program, focused on supporting municipal propagation to the benefit of recreational shellfishing programs, commercial shellfish harvesters, and shellfish growers, whose operations have been impacted by Covid-19. (Full RFP)

DURATION & FUNDING

As part of National Sea Grant funding programs, MIT Sea Grant (MITSG) and Woods Hole Sea Grant (WHSG), in partnership with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension (CCCE), are sponsoring a COVID-19 Response Funding program to support municipal shellfish programs and the local shellfishing and aquaculture industries. The proposal review panel of this funding opportunity consists of representatives from MITSG, WHSG, CCCE, Mass Oyster Project (MOP), the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), as well as additional external reviewers with relevant expertise.

ELIGIBILITY

All municipalities within the coastal communities of Massachusetts (Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Plymouth, Norfolk, Nantucket, and Suffolk counties) are eligible to apply. This includes municipal shellfish or natural resource departments, and other departments/entities responsible for management of local and Commonwealth shellfish resources.

PRIORITIES

• Alleviate ongoing COVID-19 impacts on municipally managed shellfish populations and the shellfishing community.
• Support the supply of food, jobs and the economy, as well as the cultural benefits to Massachusetts communities derived from shellfish aquaculture and natural resources.
• Gather information on the continuing impacts of COVID-19.