U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has announced the allocation of USD 200 million (EUR 171.4 million) in relief funding for fishing communities hit hard by disasters in recent years, including states and territories hit by three major hurricanes last year.
Congress approved the funding in a short-term spending bill it passed in February. According to a NOAA Fisheries release, the money can aid commercial and recreation fishermen as well as charters and other fishing-related businesses. Funding can be set aside for such projects as habitat restoration, job retraining and infrastructure improvements.
“Last year, American fishing communities across the Gulf [of Mexico] and Caribbean were devastated by some of the most destructive hurricanes in recent memory, while Pacific fisheries have suffered from years of hardship,” Ross said. “This administration stands shoulder to shoulder with these communities as they prove their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.”
The largest share of the funding will go to Alaska, which suffered from poor pink salmon runs that led to a drastic decrease in landings in 2016. Alaska Governor Bill Walker called the funding “a big deal” and thanked the state’s Congressional delegation for securing nearly USD 56.4 million (EUR 48.3 million).
“Coastal communities have been hurting, and USD 56 million [EUR 48 million] will go a long way to help the hard-working and resilient Alaskans whose livelihoods and lifestyles depend on fish,” he said in a statement.
Gulf states and territories in the Caribbean also will receive millions in aid due to the damage hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria last year. That includes USD 11.4 million (EUR 9.8 million) for Puerto Rico and USD 10.7 (EUR 9.2 million) for the U.S. Virgin Islands, both of which were hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Florida will receive USD 44.6 million (EUR 38.3 million) to recover from Irma, which was the first category four storm to hit the state in 13 years. A spokesman for Florida Governor Rick Scott told SeafoodSource the state was appreciative to Ross for the allocation.
“The governor looks forward to working with NOAA and our partners in ensuring this funding improves the resiliency and helps the recovery of our fishing industry,” McKinley Lewis said in a statement.
Ross allocated USD 13.9 million (EUR 12 million) to Texas to aid in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey languished in the state’s gulf region and caused massive flooding.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote to Ross in February, claiming the state’s oyster, shrimp, crab, and finfish fisheries suffered damage to infrastructure, gear, and vessels. On the recreational side, license sales were down by 20 percent after the storm hit in late August and down by 4.5 percent as of January.
"The economic impact of Texas' commercial and recreational fishing industries is of tremendous importance to both residents and tourists alike," Abbott said in a statement. "These funds will provide coastal businesses with the additional resources they require in order to make a full recovery.”
Washington state and tribal nations will receive more than USD 33 million (EUR 28.3 million) for salmon-related disasters that took place between 2014 and 2016. California will receive USD 25.8 million (EUR 22.1 million) for crab disasters suffered during the 2015-2016 seasons, and the Chinook Yurok Tribe will receive nearly USD 3.9 million (EUR 3.4 million) for the salmon disaster that happened in the Klamath River in 2016.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Fish and Game
