Assemblyman Thiele: $6.7 Million in COVID-19 Relief Being Distributed to New York’s Marine Fishing Industries
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. today announced that $6.7 million in relief aid is being distributed to New York’s seafood, marine, commercial, and for-hire fishing industries that have been impacted by pandemic-related businesses losses. New York State will distribute an additional $5.7 million in the coming months, for a total of $12.4 million, through the Marine Fisheries Relief Program, which administers federal funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.[1]
A staunch advocate for our local commercial fishing industry, last year, Assemblyman Thiele joined with then-Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo and then-State Senator Ken LaValle in sending a letter to Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, in support of the local commercial fishing industry. The letter sent by the Legislators urged the Department of Commerce to equitably disburse the CARES Act funds based on economic need and to areas experiencing the greatest impacts of the virus. At the time, New York State was at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. The commercial and charter fishing businesses are a critical component of New York State’s economy, and Suffolk County is at the heart of the industry.
Assemblyman Thiele stated, “New York State is a national leader in the seafood and commercial fishing industry, which was severely disrupted by the pandemic. The losses in revenue sustained by this vital industry will have lasting impacts. The aid now being distributed will provide necessary relief to the commercial fishing industry and will be a good first step toward economic recovery.”