Information Regarding COVID-19 Response

The National Sea Grant Law Center, based out of the University of Mississippi, has compiled information about COVID-19 Resources.

NOAA Fisheries is actively monitoring and adjusting to the COVID-19 national health crisis. They have created a COVID-19 Response Page. This provides sources of information about the Coronavirus and NOAA's response to date. 

Farm Credit East has provided a portal for "knowledge exchange" relating to COVID-19 and the PPP.

An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting mariners and maritime commerce. This bulletin serves as a reminder that the illness of persons on board a vessel must be reported to both the Coast Guard and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepeneurship published a guide outlining the resources that will be available through SBA due to this Bill. 

NOAA Fisheries issued an emergency action to provide the authority, on a case-by-case basis, to waive observer coverage, some training, and other program requirements. 

Right  now, small businesses can apply for loans up to $2 million.

This is for companies with less than 500 employees. It should be noted that the employer must front the cost of the sick leave, but they are eligible for a reimbursement. 

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15.

If you are a fish house or commercial fisherman who is able to sell directly to the public, National Fisherman is compiling a list of businesses who can ship or are selling fish at pick up points. 

Louisiana Economic Development also is offering COVID-19: Business Resources, an online guide to assistance available for impacted businesses. 

View up-to-date information about COVID-19 in the state of Louisiana

 LDWF, LSU AgCenter, and Louisiana Sea Grant have produced a handout for commercial seafood harvesters to consider when handling seafood. These suggested handling techniques will help provide confidence to seafood buyers at all levels of the supply chain. 

Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced that Mississippi workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits. 

View information from the state of Mississippi on COVID-19. 

View information from the state of Florida on COVID-19. 

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. 

FloridaDisaster.biz is a partnership between the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM). This site has information and resources available about disaster response in the state of Florida. This partnership between DEP and DEM works with business and industry to identify available resources to meet the needs of the state and its citizens before, during and after a disaster. 

 The Texas Comptroller’s office knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there’s so much uncertainty.  The agency is offering assistance to those businesses that are struggling to pay the full amount of sales taxes they collected in February. 

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is providing updates on Texas' response to COVID-19 and resources for employers. 

Texas Sea Grant is compiling information and resources, both for employees of the Texas Sea Grant system and for impacted businesses. 

View information from the state of Texas on COVID-19.