11-30-2012, 12:10 PM
Dr. Rebecca Blank, Acting Secretary of Commerce,has announced a fishery disaster declaration for New Jersey and New York due to the impacts of Sandy. The declaration applies to affected communities in New Jersey and New York. Although the full extent of the damage to commercial and recreation fisheries and coastal communities is not yet known, this action opens the door for Congress to appropriate money towards alleviating the financial hardship caused by the disaster. If money is appropriated, NOAA will work closely with Congress, the states, and affected communities to help stem the cascading economic and social impacts of this storm.