Long-term, fixed-rate federal loans for fishing vessels, shoreside processing facilities, and aquaculture operations, including individual fishing quota purchases.
The eligibility and application details below are general guidance for this kind of program, not text copied from the funder. The facts above — who runs it, how much, and when it closes — are hand-checked. Always confirm specifics on the official page.
Am I eligible?
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Active SAM.gov registration and UEI number required before award
Must be in compliance with USDA/federal program rules (AGI limits, conservation compliance)
Credit history, repayment ability, and collateral are reviewed
Business plan and cash-flow projections generally required
How to apply
1Talk to a NOAA Fisheries loan officer about the size and purpose of the loan
2Assemble financials: balance sheet, income history, and projections
3Submit the application with your business plan and collateral information
4Respond to underwriting questions, then close and draw funds
What you'll need
Farm or business name, address, and tax ID / EIN
Three years of tax returns (or projections if you're just starting)
Current balance sheet and cash-flow projection
Business plan and description of what the loan will buy
Collateral list and any existing debt schedule
Timeline & contact
Typically 30–90 days from application to closing, faster for microloans
Get help: NOAA Fisheries — your local USDA Service Center or state office can walk you through it
Ready to apply?
Applications go through NOAA Fisheries, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.
Grants for projects that build US fishing and seafood businesses — direct marketing, processing, aquaculture development, and marketing of underused species.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Extension is year-round; grant competitions vary by state
State Sea Grant programs fund aquaculture research and business development and provide free extension help for shellfish, seaweed, and land-based aquaculture operations.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply