LoBiondo Applauds Federal Disaster Declaration for New Jersey Fisheries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One day after requesting federal action, U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Commerce that a federal disaster declaration has been issued for the fishing industries in New Jersey and New York.

“As we continue to determine the full-scale of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, swift federal, state and local action can ensure a devastating situation isn’t made worse through inaction. I applaud the quick response by NOAA and the Commerce Department to our real concerns for New Jersey’s fishing industry,” said LoBiondo, Chairman of the House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. “With a robust recreational fishing industry and the second largest commercial port on the East Coast, the impact from Sandy on South Jersey’s fishing communities cannot be overstated as infrastructure must be repaired and fisheries rebuilt. This federal disaster declaration is critically important to its recovery.”

On Thursday, LoBiondo and fellow New Jersey Congressmen Jon Runyan (03), Chris Smith (04) and Bill Pascrell (08) sent Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank a letter requesting the federal disaster declaration due to significant damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy to infrastructure at the state’s ports and fishing docks.

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