Hurricane Katrina Fisherman's Relief Fund

Background

Mission

The Hurricane Katrina Fishermen's Relief Fund will respond to the needs of impacted Gulf fishermen by rapidly and fairly providing funds directly to the individuals affected. Further, we will assure that all funds intended for the fishermen reach the fishermen and are not consumed by overhead or processing costs.

Background

Hurricane Katrina is the worst natural disaster in our Nation's history. A vast coastline of towns and communities were devastated. Among the lives and livelihoods affected by Hurricane Katrina is the Gulf fishing community including commercial and for-hire recreational fishermen, fishing ports, seafood processing industries, and other related fishing businesses. Hurricane Katrina devastated the fishing industries in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Florida. Fishing has halted creating a great hardship for many individuals in the Gulf fishing community. Our fishing industry is one of our Nation's oldest industries.

Recognizing the importance of fisheries to our Nation, Fish for the Future Foundation was founded in 2002 as an IRS approved not-for-profit to provide a forum for discussion of U.S. Marine fisheries issues; educate the American public on the importance of fisheries to our Nation, and assist the fishing community.

The Hurricane Katrina Fishermen's Relief Fund is a special project of the Foundation. This fund will assist those members of the fishing community affected by this devastating natural disaster through contributions from the public.

Funding Process

To assure fairness in the distribution of funds, The Fishermen's Relief Fund will appoint an advisory panel made up of the most knowledgeable fisheries administrators in the region. The panel will include representatives from the fisheries agencies in each of the affected states as well as representatives from the Gulf of Mexico Regional Fishery Management Council and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. The panel will review forms filled out by the fishermen and verified by local authorities regarding lost facilities and income. Based on this information and the assessment of the panel, reimbursement for losses will be sent directly to the fishermen.

The Fishermen's Relief Fund has made an institutional commitment to assure that all funds intended for the affected parties shall reach them. To do this, The Fund will limit overhead expenses by using volunteers and a number of professionals who have offered their services pro bono. The Fishermen's Relief Fund does intend to ask separate sponsors for a small amount of monies to administer the program but will limit such funds to less than 5% of the total funds delivered to the fishermen and other eligible parties. This will allow donors to be assured that all their funds will reach those most affected by Hurricane Katrina.

For More Information on Contributing to the Fund, Contact:

Fish For The Future Foundation
3382 Gunston Road
Alexandria, VA 22302

Mary Hope Katsouros (President): mhk@fish4thefuturefoundation.org
Hope Shea (Program Manager): hope.shea@fish4thefuturefoundation.org