Eligibility criteria
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a U.S. citizen who is or was a fisherman and who incurred losses and costs as a result of your vessel being seized.

Description
The Fishermen's Guaranty Fund operates like "seizure insurance" for those fishermen who apply to participate in it. If a vessel, which is a member of the program, is seized by another country on the basis of claims to jurisdiction not recognized by the United States, the owner of the vessel can file a claim for reimbursement for losses incurred as a direct result of the seizure. The kind of losses which could be reimbursed include equipment and catch confiscated from the vessel, as well as compensation for "lost fishing time," i.e. for up to 50% of the proceeds that would have been received if the vessel had been fishing during the time it was detained by the foreign government.

Managing organization
U.S. Department of State http://www.state.gov/

Program contact information & web resources
Office of Marine Conservation
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Room 5806
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520-7818
Contact: Mr. Stetson Tinkham
Telephone: 202-647-3941
Fax: 202-736-7350


Website Address
http://www.state.gov