Commercial Fisheries Flood Disaster Equipment Grant 2023

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LDWF Equipment Modernization Grant Program

The program provides funding up to $30,000 for eligible expenses to restore fisheries and related communities affected by the Louisiana 2019 flood disaster. The program is open to commercial fishermen, vessel owners, seafood docks, processors and charter captains for reimbursement and purchase of updated and modern equipment to remediate impacts resulting from the influx of freshwater flooding. Equipment acquired under the program will assist the commercial fishing industry to adapt to environmental changes and provide long-term benefits by reinvesting funds back into the industry.

Applicant Eligibility

The program is open to all Louisiana resident docks, processing facilities, commercial fishing vessel owners, commercial fishermen, and charter captains 18 years of age or older that meet the eligibility criteria listed below and were engaged in a fishery impacted by the freshwater flooding event. If an applicant is a limited liability company, corporation, or partnership, the business must be registered and in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Applicants must possess a current resident LDWF commercial fisherman’s license, vessel license, charter captain’s license, or wholesale retail dealer license.
- Only one application per license / vessel / facility is allowed.
- Only one application per license account number / tax ID number is allowed.
Commercial fishermen and charter captains must have a certified endorsement on their license or be able to prove that more than 50% of their income comes from saltwater commercial fishing or charter activity.
The certified endorsement or 50% income requirement must be from at least one of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021.
Docks, processing facilities, or any other type of facility must be located in Louisiana to be eligible for this grant.
Applicants must be an active saltwater fishery participant in the current year or the most recent season (if in a seasonal fishery).
Applicants must have reported saltwater seafood sales on LDWF trip tickets in an impacted fishery in 2018 or 2019 AND 2020 or 2021.
- If the applicant is not legally required to submit trip tickets, the applicant must show proof of business activity in required years using such records as bank statements or legers, quarterly tax payments, sales records, payroll records, tax records, and accounting records.
Applicants who entered the fishery for the first time after 2019 are not eligible. Applicants who left the fishery after 2019 and did not return are not eligible.

Equipment Eligibility

Equipment, repairs, modifications, or upgrades meeting any one of the below criteria will be considered eligible for this program.

Increases harvesting or processing efficiency
Increases fuel efficiency
Increases product quality and marketability
Increases access to restricted / more regulated higher value markets
Decreases environmental impacts
Decreases maintenance and overhead burden
Adapts to changing coast line and environmental impacts
Allows for increased travel times and distances
Expenses associated with new fishing methods or entering an entirely new fishery
Elevation of equipment and facilities

New expenses and previously incurred expenses that occurred on or after September 1, 2019 will be eligible for reimbursement, provided it meets program requirements. All equipment must be new at the time of purchase. Reimbursement for labor costs associated with professional equipment installation is limited to 15% of the total cost of equipment, not to exceed $4,500.

Registration and Profile Completion

Starting September 5, 2023 applicants can register for the online grant portal at https://ldwffisheries-grants.intelligrants.com. Upon online registration, applicants will be required to complete an online application profile with required personal, business, and LDWF license information. For detailed information for setting up a user profile, please see the profile completion checklist.

Applying for the Program

In order to allow sufficient time for applicants to apply for the grant program, the application process will be divided into two phases. During the first phase, applicants are required to register for the online grant portal and complete an online application profile.

Applications can be submitted during the second phase of the application process beginning on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 9:00 AM CST. The application process will remain open until the number of applications received is expected to exhaust the available funding. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, and funding will be allocated in the order in which applications are received according to the date and time of application completion. For detailed information for completing your application, please see the Application Checklist.

Application Documents

The following documents may be needed to apply for this program. We recommend that you download and print the W-9 form and the board resolution form (if applicable) prior to starting the application.

Copy of current government-issued photo ID (for the person authorized to complete and submit application)
Copy of current Louisiana Resident Commercial Fisherman License (If applying as a commercial fisherman)
Copy of current Louisiana Resident Charter Boat Guide License (If applying as a charter captain)
Copy of current Louisiana Resident Commercial Vessel License (If applying as a vessel owner)
Copy of current vessel registration that corresponds to vessel license (If applying as a vessel owner)
Copy of current Louisiana Commercial Wholesale/Retail Dealer License (If applying as a dock or processing facility)
Board Resolution Form is needed if your business is registered as a Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or Partnership to authorize an individual to act on behalf of the business.
W-9 Form that corresponds with the Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN / FEIN) associated with the LDWF Commercial License for which you are applying under.
Receipts and/or quotes
- If applicant is seeking reimbursement for previously purchased equipment, applicant must submit receipts dated on or after September 1, 2019; receipts dated prior to this date are not eligible for reimbursement.
- Applicants seeking to purchase new equipment must submit quotes.
- Receipts and quotes (including handwritten) must be on vendor letterhead, original, itemized, dated and legible.
- Receipts and quotes should be highlighted indicating those items for which applicant is requesting reimbursement.
- All equipment must be new at the time of purchase. Purchases of used or preowned equipment are not eligible under the Program.

Additional Resources

For language assistance or assistance submitting an application, please contact LDWF at 225-765-3960 or Toll Free at 1-855-262-1764.