Maryland Commercial Oyster Harvester Disaster Relief Loans

iced in work boats at Kent Narrow MD

Through its new Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund, MARBIDCO is offering zero-interest disaster relief loans to help commercial oyster harvesters struggling financially due to poor market conditions, bad weather, and environmental calamities.

MARBIDCO announces that applicants for the Maryland Commercial Oyster Harvester Disaster Relief Loan Program who applied by June 12, 2026, and meet all eligibility requirements will receive a $10,000 loan.

MARBIDCO will continue accepting applications through June 26, 2026. Eligible applications received from June 13 through June 26, 2026, will be considered for a $10,000 loan while funds remain available.

Checks for eligible applicants will begin being distributed in early July. 

Overview

This fund allows MARBIDCO to offer zero-interest loans to eligible Maryland commercial oyster harvesters to cover personal and business expenses related to oyster harvesting.   All borrowers will receive the same loan amount, which is determined by dividing the total amount of available funding by the total number of eligible applicants, up to a ceiling of $10,000. 

Eligibility

  • Must be a Maryland resident and hold a valid Tidal Fisheries License (TFL) from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or hold a Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) Commercial License for oyster harvesting.

  • Must have harvested oysters during the 2025-2026 season, as demonstrated on harvest reports.

  • Must have paid all applicable surcharges or fees to harvest oysters between October 2025 and April 2026

  • Must have submitted all required oyster harvest reports to the DNR or PRFC, as verified by these agencies, by the deadline required by these agencies.

Loan Terms and Conditions

  • Maximum loan amount: $10,000. 

  • Interest rate: 0.00%.

  • Repayment begins February 1, 2027.

  • Equal quarterly principal payments over 10 quarters.

  • No collateral required.

Loan Forgiveness

A dollar amount equivalent to the final two quarterly payments will be forgiven for good repayment performance. 

Loan Delinquency

  • All loans must be repaid in accordance with the terms of the written loan agreement.

  • Borrowers who are more than 90 days late on their quarterly payments will lose eligibility for loan forgiveness and will owe the entire balance due, plus any late fees and default interest.

  • MARBIDCO will notify DNR if a borrower who holds a TFL is more than 90 days late in making his or her quarterly payment.

  • Once notified, DNR may not approve a transfer of the TFL or authorization until MARBIDCO notifies DNR that the borrower has met their debt obligation.

Application Deadlines and Submission

Electronic applications are preferred.

Email Applications: Applications received after June 12, 2026, will be processed only if funds remain. No applications will be accepted after June 26, 2026.
‍oysterloans@marbidco.org

Mail to:
MARBIDCO – Oyster Relief Loans
1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21
Annapolis, MD 21403

Funding Distribution: Loan documents and funds issued no earlier than July 1, 2026.

Questions?
📞 410-267-6807
📧 oysterloans@marbidco.org

Photo by Sightlines Aerial Photography

APPLICATION

Maryland Commercial Oyster Harvester Disaster Relief Loan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of this loan program?

This zero-interest loan program is designed to provide disaster relief to eligible Maryland commercial oyster harvesters, covering personal and business expenses.

When is the application deadline?

Late applications are considered until June 26, 2026.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

If you miss the deadline, please contact our office to determine if funds are still available or if late applications can be considered.  Absolutely no applications will be accepted after June 26, 2026.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is outlined in the application materials. To be eligible, the applicant

·         Must be a Maryland resident and hold a valid Tidal Fisheries License (TFL) from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) Commercial License for oyster harvesting.

·         Must have harvested oysters during the 2025-2026 season, as demonstrated on harvest reports.

·         Must have paid all applicable surcharges or fees to harvest oysters between October 2025 and April 2026

·         Must have submitted all required oyster harvest reports to the DNR or PRFC by the agency’s required deadline, as verified by these agencies.

Can current MARBIDCO borrowers apply for this loan?

Yes, current borrowers may apply, subject to the loan program guidelines and approval requirements.

How much loan funding can I receive?

Eligible applicants will receive a loan amount not to exceed $10,000. 

When will I know if I am awarded funding?

The final loan amount for each borrower will be posted on MARBIDCO’s website on June 18th.  Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete or ineligible.  Otherwise, beginning July 1, 2026, early applicants will begin receiving their loan documents with instructions on how to proceed. It is anticipated that this process will take several days to a few weeks to complete, so please be patient. MARBIDCO is aiming to notify all eligible applicants by August 1, 2026, or shortly thereafter.

What if, after seeing the final loan amount, I am no longer interested in receiving the loan?

Please let our office know in writing, preferably via email, by June 23, 2026, that you would like to withdraw your application.

When do loan repayments begin?

Repayment terms will be outlined in your loan agreement. Payments begin on February 1, 2027, followed by an additional nine quarterly payments, with the possibility of some loan forgiveness for good performance. (See below.)

Is some loan forgiveness available for good performance?

Yes, MARBIDCO will forgive a certain dollar amount equivalent to the final two quarterly loan payments based on good repayment performance.  However, borrowers who are more than 90 days late in making their normal quarterly payments will lose their eligibility for loan forgiveness and will also owe the entire balance due, plus any accrued late fees and default interest charges.

Can I pay off my loan early?

Yes, early repayment is permitted. You can contact the MARBIDCO Office for the balance due on your loan.

What happens if I can’t make my loan payments on time?

Please contact the MARBIDCO Office sooner rather than later if you are having trouble making your loan payment as scheduled. As stated above, if a loan payment is more than 90 days late, a borrower will lose their eligibility for the loan forgiveness for good performance.  In addition, MARBIDCO is required to notify DNR of this development. Once DNR is notified, DNR may not approve a transfer of the Tidal Fish License (TFL) or a related authorization until MARBIDCO notifies DNR that the borrower has become current on his or her loan payments.

Who should I contact with questions?

Please contact the MARBIDCO Office directly for assistance with your application or any program-related questions, by phone at 410-267-6807, or by email at oysterloans@marbidco.org.  dco.org.