Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida congressional delegation are calling on the U.S. Commerce Department to “issue a federal fisheries disaster declaration to help the fishing industry in the Big Bend area rebuild.”
The governor’s office offered some of the reasons why DeSantis wanted the Commerce Department to issue the declaration.
“This disaster declaration would provide access to federal funding, subject to appropriation, that would allow offshore, nearshore, and inshore fisheries to rebuild. Governor DeSantis’ letter requesting the declaration can be found here,” the governor’s office noted. “Governor DeSantis requested a similar federal fisheries disaster declaration following Hurricane Ian. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has not approved the governor’s request despite the nearly one year that has passed since Hurricane Ian. The governor will continue to fight for Florida’s fishing industry and urges the federal government to approve the fisheries disaster declarations for both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia.”
DeSantis weighed in on the request on Wednesday.
“The Big Bend’s fishing industry took a direct hit from Hurricane Idalia, and as a result, so did the many residents who make their livings on the water here,” said DeSantis. “One of the most important keys to recovery is getting people back to work. I am calling on the federal government to help Floridians who depend on these fisheries get back on their feet.”
“The fishing industry is an economic driver for this part of Florida and it is important that the people who are dependent on the success of the fisheries are able to access federal funding to keep their businesses going,” said state Commerce Sec. J. Alex Kelly. “Providing people the resources they need to get back on their feet and back to work is the best way to support long-term recovery in the Big Bend region following Hurricane Idalia.”
The governor’s office also stressed the economic importance of fishing to the Sunshine State.
“Hurricane Idalia heavily impacted the fishing industry in the Big Bend area through loss of boat facilities, halting commercial and charter fishing and loss of product due to power outages. Additionally, tourism for fishing in the area will be impacted while the community rebuilds,” the governor’s office noted. “Florida leads the nation in the number of saltwater fishing anglers, generating a $9.2 billion impact on the state of Florida’s economy. Additionally, the dockside value of commercial fisheries is estimated at $244 million. The financial assistance from this disaster declaration would help replace fishermen’s lost income and rebuild their businesses and infrastructure.”
Members of the Florida delegation sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo urging her to support the state’s request.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott and U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., Brian Mast, R-Fla., Dan Webster, R-Fla., and Michael Waltz, R-Fla., signed the letter.
“Hurricane Idalia severely impacted Florida’s fisheries, a significant contributor to Florida’s economy. These small businesses need assistance to recover from this major hurricane,” Rubio’s office noted.
“We write in support of the State of Florida’s request for a federal fishery disaster declaration in response to the severe impacts of Hurricane Idalia. We respectfully urge you to expeditiously approve the disbursal of disaster assistance to fishing and seafood businesses that have been disrupted and/or destroyed by the storm,” the members of the Florida delegation wrote. “On September 5, 2023, the State of Florida submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Commerce to declare a federal fishery resource disaster pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act, including clauses to initiate support from the Economic Development Administration, to support fishery businesses in response to Hurricane Idalia. As noted in the initial request, Florida’s recreational saltwater fishing industry has a $9.2 billion annual economic impact, and commercial fisheries total $244 million in dockside value. Florida’s Big Bend region, which was most severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia, is home to more than 600 commercial fishermen, 160 fishery wholesalers and retailers, 240 aquaculture shellfish farmers, and 450 for-hire charter captains. These small businesses need the federal government’s expeditious assistance in order to recover from this Major Hurricane.
“It is worth noting that the issuance of fishery resource disaster determinations has been unacceptably slow in recent years. Florida still awaits two determinations from previous requests of federal fishery resource disasters, including for Hurricanes Sally and Ian, which were submitted in December 2020 and October 2022, respectively. Delays in assistance hinder the survival of fishery businesses impacted by disasters. As such, we urge to you meet the deadlines requested in the Governor’s September 5 letter for an interim response within 20 days, the complete review of the request within 120 days, and the issuance of a determination within 14 days of the completion of the review consistent with the requirements of the Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act. Further, we urge you to immediately approve an affirmative fishery resource disaster determination for Hurricane Sally, and to approve an affirmative fishery resource disaster determination, as soon as possible upon the receipt of requested data, which is currently being compiled, for Hurricane Ian,” they added.
“Florida’s iconic fisheries are foundational to the economy and way of life in many of the communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Idalia. A timely and robust response by the Department of Commerce, through the declaration of a fishery disaster in support of Florida’s fishing industries, is required to help these communities recover. We urge you to approve these declarations without delay,” they wrote in conclusion. “Thank you for your attention to this important matter.”
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