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Florida, California, Washington Get $15.8M in Disaster Funding
Washington, DC – Fishing communities in Florida, California and Washington state are receiving a major federal relief commitment after years of disasters that disrupted fishing operations, damaged liv
By Avery Collins · 2026-10-23T02:02:16.614Z
Washington, DC – Fishing communities in Florida, California and Washington state are receiving a major federal relief commitment after years of disasters that disrupted fishing operations, damaged livelihoods and strained coastal economies.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA , the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Thursday, October 22, that $15.8 million in federal fishery disaster funding has been allocated to previously declared disasters affecting fisheries between 2019 and 2024.
The money was appropriated by Congress through the American Relief Act, 2025, and is intended to support recovery efforts across several affected fishing communities.
Which Fishing Communities Will Receive Relief? The funding covers multiple federally recognized fishery disasters, including:
Florida: Fishing industry losses associated with Hurricane Ian in 2022. California: The red sea urchin fishery disaster during 2023 and 2024. Washington: Makah Tribe ocean treaty troll fisheries affected in 2020 and 2021, along with Fraser sockeye salmon fisheries affected in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. NOAA said funding allocations were determined using commercial fishing revenue losses associated with the eligible disasters.
How Will the $15.8 Million Be Distributed? Federal officials say the money may support commercial fishermen, recreational fishing operations, charter businesses, coastal infrastructure and environmental restoration.
Eligible projects could include direct financial assistance, habitat restoration, job retraining and fishing equipment or permit buyback programs.
However, the announcement does not mean individual fishermen will immediately receive payments.
NOAA Fisheries will issue funding opportunity letters to designated recipients, who will have 120 days to submit applications .
Affected individuals and businesses should coordinate with their state or tribal governments regarding available assistance.
Additional federal disaster loans may also be available through the Small Business Administration.
More information about federal fishery disaster assistance is available through NOAA Fisheries , while eligible businesses can explore disaster loan programs at sba.gov/disaster .