The state of New Hampshire has expanded a commercial fishing pier on Peirce Island in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S.A., adding a refrigerated bait storage facility, catch unloading equipment, and expanded fishing spaces.
According to a report by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR), the project was funded through a USD 1 million (EUR 861,000) allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act and USD 240,000 (EUR 206,000) in operating funds from the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors. Along with the expanded pier, the project also includes an area for refrigerated bait storage and machinery for unloading catch. NHPR also reported that the pier does not have an on-site ice supplier and is looking for commercial vendors.
New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte shared the news of the pier opening on Facebook after speaking at the site’s ribbon cutting on 25 August 2026. She said the pier dated back to 1979, and the much-needed renovations would improve the previously deteriorated facility.
“Proud to be in Portsmouth today for the unveiling of upgrades to the commercial fishing pier on Peirce Island,” Ayotte wrote in a Facebook post. “I will always fight for New Hampshire’s commercial fishermen and support this historic industry in our state.”
Additional support for the seafood industry in New Hampshire comes from NOAA’s USD 13.5 million (EUR 11.7 million) Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM), headquartered at the University of New Hampshire. The cooperative aims to strengthen America’s commercial aquaculture sector, by investing into coastal resource bases. The Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S.A.-based National Science Foundation Seafood Engine also earned a USD 15 million (EUR 13 million) grant in July 2026 to further develop the state’s seafood industry.
