Grants Available For Local Fishing Businesses Affected by Superstorm Sandy

Local Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) and Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that $3.6 million in grants are available to local businesses in the fishing industry affected by the impacts of Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

“The regions affected by Superstorm Sandy are home to significant commercial and recreation fishing industries that are critical to New York’s economy,” Cuomo said. “With another round of these common-sense grants, we are furthering our efforts to support this vital industry and help it fully recover.”

The grants, which are being funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will provide money to sectors of the fishing industry that suffered a loss of revenue due to the storm.

The Department of Environmental Conservation, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, will administer the Superstorm Sandy Fishery Disaster Relief Program.

“New York’s fishing industry was one of many sectors to be severely impacted by recent storms,” Interim Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery Lisa Bova-Hiatt said. “Through these grants, we will assist individuals and businesses in need, while upholding the State’s commitment to its multitude of small businesses.”

DEC will accept applications through December 15, and funding will be distributed to the eligible applicants after that.

Eligible applicants include businesses in the following sectors: bait and tackle; for-hire fishing boat operators; marinas; commercial harvesters; commercial seafood dealers, shippers or processors; and aquaculture facilities.

In order to apply for a grant, fishing businesses in eligible counties (including Suffolk County) must complete an application and provide documentation to demonstrate more than $5,000 in revenue or gross income loss as a result of Superstorm Sandy, and have at least $15,000 in annual earnings in one of the eligible fishery sectors.

Applications are available online at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/.

For more information, contact the DEC at 518-402-8044 or visitFisheryGrant@dec.ny.gov.