Federal Funding Approved to Support NJ Fishing Communities

Eligible businesses can apply next week for the $9.5 million in federal funding New Jersey received

On Aug 11, 2021

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) approved New Jersey’s spending plan for $9.5 million in federal aid for the state’s commercial and charter fishing industry. Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) helped secure the funding as part of the omnibus and coronavirus relief bill Congress passed and was signed into law last December. This is the second round of federal funding Congress has allotted to help fishing communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am pleased that another round of federal funding will be delivered to New Jersey’s fishing industry. This is another step in the right direction to ensure our region’s fishing businesses and their families get the assistance they need to withstand the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic storm,” Pallone said. “This pandemic has been devasting to the men and women of our state’s fishing industry. That’s why I fought to secure this funding in Congress and am working to make sure these funds are released quickly to the people who need them.”

“NJDEP welcomes this new funding for New Jersey’s fishing communities and our critical seafood industries that have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “These additional resources will both directly support the women and men of our commercial and recreational fishing sectors and bolster the industry as a whole. Not only a vital part of New Jersey’s economic engine, our fisherman and the communities they support remain a key part of who we are as a State.

New Jersey’s commercial fishing industry generates over $8 billion annually supporting over 50,000 jobs and has one of the largest saltwater recreational fishing industries in the United States.

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