[Archived] Aquaculture and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs. The application period for CFAP ended on September 11 for most producers. FSA accepted applications until October 9, 2020, for certain producers in Louisiana, Oregon, and Texas impacted by natural disasters. Learn more at farmers.gov/cfap1.

Aquaculture Eligibility

USDA announced on August 11 that certain aquaculture commodities grown and harvested from controlled environments, including raceways, ponds, tanks, and recirculating systems, are eligible for CFAP. Producers of eligible aquaculture commodities can begin submitting CFAP applications the week of August 17. Eligible aquaculture commodities are documented below.

• Foodfish to include:
  • catfish,
  • crawfish,
  • largemouth bass
  • carp
  • hybrid striped bass,
  • red drum,
  • salmon,
  • sturgeon,
  • tilapia,
  • trout,
• ornamental/tropical fish, and
• recreational sportfish.

CFAP Payments for Aquaculture

Aquaculture payments differ for eligible fish and crustaceans. CFAP payments will be calculated as outlined below.

Eligible Fish

CFAP payments for eligible aquaculture species, excluding crawfish, are the sum of:

1. the aquaculture species sold from January 15, 2020, through April 15, 2020, multiplied by the CARES Act payment rate; and
2. inventory of the aquaculture species that was not sold but was market size and available to be marketed between January 15, 2020, and April 15, 2020, multiplied by the CCC payment rate.

Crawfish

CFAP payments for crawfish are the sum of:

1. crawfish sales from January 15, 2020, through April 15, 2020, multiplied by the CARES Act payment rate; and
2. crawfish inventory that was not sold as of April 15, 2020, due to lack of market and will not be sold in calendar year 2020, multiplied by the CCC payment rate.

The following table lists eligible aquaculture commodities and payment rates for CFAP.

Additional information for aquaculture producers is available in our fact sheet, Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Aquaculture Producers.

Additional Assistance for Aquaculture Producers

USDA received comments requesting CFAP assistance for oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and marine algae. The Secretary of Commerce is providing assistance for molluscan shellfish and marine algae with funding provided by section 12005 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act,  Pub. L. 116-136). To avoid providing duplicate payments for the same losses, USDA has determined that CFAP will not cover those commodities. Read the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announcement for a summary of related allocations and updated FAQ on this funding source for aquaculture.

Additional CFAP Information

Farm Service Agency staff at local USDA Service Centers will work with producers to file CFAP applications. 

Visit farmers.gov/cfap1 for additional information on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, other eligible commodities, CFAP eligibility, payment limitations and structure, and how to apply.