WASHINGTON — March 18, 2013 — Following Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.’s (NJ-06) questioning on the matter at a House Energy and Natural Resources hearing, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a report detailing the economic and socio-economic effects of Superstorm Sandy on the fishing industry and fishing-related businesses and infrastructure for New Jersey. Congressman Pallone released the following statement:
"NOAA’s report today affirms exactly what we expected: Superstorm Sandy was a disaster of epic proportions to New Jersey’s fishing industry and coastal communities that rely on the economic and recreational benefits of the fishing industry. Despite the Senate originally passing a Sandy aid package with $150 million worth of fisheries disaster relief, the Republican controlled House insisted on gutting the bill to include only $5 million, an insufficient amount that does not even begin to address the magnitude of the damage done to our fishing communities.
"The report released by NOAA estimates total uninsured losses of $78 million to $121 million for New Jersey’s fishing industry and coastal communities due to Sandy. It found that businesses supporting recreational fishing suffered the most damage, estimated in the range of $62 million to $105 million in New Jersey. The impact on the commercial fishing industry, which contributed $2.4 billion to New Jersey’s gross state product in 2011, is estimated to be $14 million.