Pallone Encourages New Jersey Fisherman to Access Federal Fishery Disaster Relief Funds

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) encouraged New Jersey fishermen affected by Superstorm Sandy to apply for federal fishery disaster relief funds being administered by the state of New Jersey. This comes in response to the state’s announcement that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will make more than $2 million in grants available to help offset the costs that fishing-related businesses and recreational fishing infrastructure, such marinas and bait-and-tackle shops, incurred as a result of Superstorm Sandy. Congressman Pallone fought hard in Congress to see that these funds were appropriated to the state as part the Sandy Aid package and later as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 federal budget.

“New Jersey’s commercial and recreational fishing industries are vitally important to the state’s economy,” said Pallone. “While I strongly believe that more federal funds should be made available to fishermen and fishing-related businesses that were devastated by Superstorm Sandy, I’m glad to see that the state is finally taking an important first step to get this relief money into the hands of those who need it.”

At Pallone’s urging, Acting Secretary of Commerce, Rebecca Blank, declared a federal fishery resource disaster in New Jersey in November 2012, so that local fishermen and businesses could get much-needed federal assistance in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. The Sandy relief package originally appropriated $5 million for fishery disaster relief in New York and New Jersey. Congressman Pallone continued fighting for additional fishery disaster funds in the Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill which provided approximately $3 million in federal funds to New York and New Jersey fisheries that were declared fishery disasters.

“The shore is my home, and I know what fishing means to life here,” Pallone added. “We must make sure that the damages suffered by New Jersey fishermen are not forgotten as we continue to rebuild and recover.”

Individuals and/or businesses in six fishing-related sectors—bait-and-tackle shops, commercial dealers, commercial fishermen, for-hire (party and charter) operations, marinas and shellfish/aquaculture—may submit Expression of Interest pre-applications to the DEP beginning October 1 until October 31. The pre-application is only available online and can be accessed here.

Pallone to Announce Bill to Help Fishing Industry Recoup Post-Sandy

Supplemental Funding will Assist in Recovery of Fisheries Disaster and Plug Shortfall in Sandy Relief Package


(BELFORD, NJ) – On Monday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) will  be at the Belford Seafood Co-op, 901 Port Monmouth Road Belford, to announce his plan to assist the fishing industry and coastal communities badly impacted as a result of Superstorm Sandy at the Belford Seafood Co-op. Pallone will also speak with commercial fishermen to discuss the damage they suffered what assistance is needed for a full recovery.

Last month, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report detailing the economic and socio-economic effects of Superstorm Sandy on the fishing industry and fishing-related businesses and infrastructure in New Jersey. The report estimated total uninsured losses of $78 million to $121 million for New Jersey’s fishing industry and coastal communities due to Sandy. The impact on the commercial fishing industry, which contributed $2.4 billion to New Jersey’s gross state product in 2011, is estimated to be $14 million. Pallone’s statement on the report can be viewed here.

The funding package passed by Congress in the wake of Superstorm Sandy included only $5 million for fisheries disaster assistance, far below the initial $150 million passed by the U.S. Senate. Pallone’s bill appropriates $193 million to fully fund the estimated cost to recover storm affected fisheries.