Today, in response to a request from Governor Rick Scott on October 23, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that a commercial fishery failure occurred in Florida as a result of Hurricane Michael, which struck the panhandle with devastating force on October 10.

 

“The Department of Commerce stands ready to support communities across Florida in their hour of need,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans receive the necessary aid to recover and rebuild following the destruction and harm caused by Hurricane Michael.”

 

This determination provides the basis for Congress to appropriate fishery disaster assistance for the new fiscal year, which began in October. In 2018, Secretary Ross has previously declared fishery disasters in Texas after Hurricane Harvey and in California, Oregon, and Washington.

 

To further facilitate recovery efforts in Florida and beyond, the Department of Commerce can look to the Economic Development Administration, which spearheads the Federal government’s efforts to deliver economic assistance and support long-term growth after natural disasters.