A flats fisher casts into the water. Photo: Captain Steven Lamp/ Dreamcatcher Charters

A $2-trillion stimulus package was signed just over two weeks ago to address impacts from the novel coronavirus. It supplied billions to supply hospitals with resources and small businesses with payroll and loan programs to stay afloat through unsettling times. 

While the federal stimulus package to address coronavirus wasn’t perfect, Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell says she’s pushing for more funding for an industry in the Keys that’s usually quite active this time of year.

They’re usually out on the water providing their clients with the best catch. But in lieu of a shutdown to visitors, and calls for social distancing and people to stay home, fishermen in the south Florida region spoke with the congresswoman for an hour via Zoom recently. Mucarsel-Powell has conducted several virtual gatherings with small business owners and farmers in recent weeks to gauge concerns and bring them to Capitol Hill. 

Hearing firsthand the struggles they’re facing and their needs, Mucarsel-Powell said House members are preparing to work on another economic stimulus package. While Democratic leadership wants a phase-four relief package, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he wants to see how existing funding works to see if additional resources are needed. 

“More needs to be done,” Mucarsel-Powell said. “We have started those conversations, and part of the reason why I wanted to be in touch with you is if this package didn’t provide support for your business, we need to hear from you.”

Around $300 million were allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist workers and businesses throughout the nation’s fisheries. Tribes, fishermen, fishing communities, aquaculture businesses and other fishery-related businesses are eligible for assistance, if they have incurred as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 pandemic economic revenue losses greater than 35 percent as compared to the prior 5-year average, or any negative impacts to subsistence, cultural or ceremonial fisheries.

Mucarsel-Powell said funds will be administered by the Department of Commerce. As to how those funds would be distributed? She says they’re still waiting to hear word as monies still await release. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be responsible for release of the funding. 

Mucarsel-Powell, vice chairwoman of the U.S. House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, said she’s working with subcommittee chairman, Congressman Jared Huffman out of California, on a letter requesting the Department of Commerce and Secretary Wilbur Ross to provide guidance and information necessary to ensure transparency. She also says she’ll be working to include more funding for the industry in the next bill following feedback from fishermen who said $300 million isn’t nearly enough. 

“The last thing I want is for you to be negatively impacted through the stimulus package because you did the right thing (to shut down),” she said. 

The congresswoman said Monroe County was one of the first impacted economically following a decision to close the Keys to tourists on March 22. Five days later, checkpoints were established to ensure visitors weren’t coming in to ensure coronavirus wouldn’t be spread from those coming in from other counties and states. 

Mucarsel-Powell said she’s proud of the Monroe County community for taking “appropriate measures early on to really close down the county for tourists.

“I know it’s been a huge sacrifice to our fishermen in Monroe County. I’m grateful for all of you in making that decision. It’s obviously affecting our economy directly at this time,” she said.

Mucarsel-Powell is also calling for more widespread testing in order to restart parts of the economy, as she says “we can’t be in a complete halt for months. We have to figure out a way to conduct business as usual.”

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.