Suffolk Disaster Declaration After Aquaculture Industry Sees 'Significant Damage' From 'Brutal' Winter: Gov

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a disaster declaration for Suffolk County following a winter that caused "significant damage to operations" for the aquaculture industry, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday.

The USDA has issued a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Suffolk County following Hochul's request to provide relief to the aquaculture industry, she said.

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Heavy snowfall and multi-week severe freeze conditions significantly impacted the county’s aquaculture grower operations in February 2026, with producers facing an estimated combined $2.4 million loss, Hochul said.

The disaster designation now allows affected farms in Suffolk County and contiguous Nassau County to apply for disaster assistance and low-interest emergency loans, she said.

"Early last month, I urged the USDA to take swift action to declare Suffolk County a disaster area and help our aquaculture growers get the assistance they need to recover and move forward," Hochul said. "With this Secretarial Disaster Declaration, the producers who have seen economic loss can now take advantage of low-interest loans to help ensure they’re able to sustain their operations. I have long been committed to helping this important agricultural sector grow and thrive, and the state will continue to support the industry through this hardship."

Prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and extensive ice formation across coastal waters in February prevented oyster farmers from accessing shellfish-growing areas and conducting normal harvesting and farm operations.

Ice accumulation across bays and waterways blocked access to vessels and aquaculture sites for extended periods of time and caused damage to aquaculture gear, vessels and farm infrastructure, Hochul said.

A survey conducted by industry partners and local officials estimated that many growers are facing a more than 30 percent loss in production and those that reported damage to racks, lines, and vessels are facing estimated repair and replacement costs totaling $2,396,500, she said.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball and State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton toured a number of impacted businesses on Long Island on April 8 to better understand the extent of the damage, Hochul said.

"The damage our shellfish growers saw this winter was unprecedented, with severe damage costing them millions of dollars," Bal lsaid. "I am thankful to the governor for her ongoing support of the industry and request to the USDA for this Secretarial Disaster Declaration. By elevating our concerns to the USDA, our growers will now have access to emergency loans that will offer financial relief to area farmers."

Assemblymember Michaelle Solages added: "Long Island’s aquaculture industry is a critical part of both our coastal economy, as well as our local identity. This industry supports small businesses and working waterfront communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. It is a tremendous relief to have an executive in Governor Hochul who can see the serious impact that extreme winter conditions this past season had on shellfish growers and who is willing to respond accordingly with appropriate measures to ease their financial burden. As climate-related weather events continue to place increasing pressure on coastal industries, we must remain committed to protecting the workers and businesses that sustain Long Island’s maritime economy."

Assemblymember Steve Stern also weighed in: "The aquaculture industry is a vital part of the Suffolk County economy and the marine environment is critical to the overall health of our fragile ecosystem. The unusually harsh winter caused significant losses and adversely affected this industry, which is largely composed of small family-owned operations."

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni commented: "A disaster declaration from the federal government is crucial for our aquaculture industry, given the devastating impact of the past winter. This designation will facilitate access to low-interest loans for our farmers, enabling them to restore operations to full capacity. I am grateful to the governor for acknowledging the importance of this legacy industry, and I am proud to stand alongside those who champion Long Island's maritime culture and its blue economy."

And, said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine: "This is great news as those who make their living on the water in Suffolk County are committed to seeing their industries flourish. These funds will help our oyster growers recover from a brutal winter that destroyed costly equipment. The shell fishing industry is part of Suffolk County’s history, and we all have to do all we can to keep this important business viable and growing."

This USDA disaster designation makes farm operators in Suffolk County and Nassau County, as a contiguous county, eligible to be considered for emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for relief programs. Farmers can contact their local FSA office here.