Rep. Hoyle Secures Delayed Fisheries Disaster Funding After Pressing NOAA During Committee Hearing

Rep. Hoyle Secures Delayed Fisheries Disaster Funding After Pressing NOAA During Committee Hearing

Shortly after Rep. Hoyle's Line of Questioning, NOAA Releases Millions for Oregon Fishermen

Washington, D.C. - Today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the allocation of $123.6 million in fishery disaster relief funding after more than 18 months of delay. The announcement follows Congresswoman Hoyle's June 3 questioning of NOAA's Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing.

"This is a win for our fisheries, our communities and the families of the workers who depend on fishing for their livelihoods," said Congresswoman Hoyle. "Make no mistake: the delay in releasing these funds was devastating to our communities. Relief in these situations must be delivered quickly and comprehensively. Whatever administrative loophole, bureaucratic red tape or staffing reduction caused this delay in the first place must be examined to ensure it never happens again."

The funding includes $2.4 million for the 2023 Oregon Ocean Commercial Salmon Fisheries disaster.

The State of Oregon will now be able to develop a spend plan and distribute funds to impacted fishermen and seafood businesses.

Background

In 2023, Governor Kotek requested the Department of Commerce declare a federal fishery resource disaster in response to the federal closure of Oregon's commercial ocean salmon fishery for the 2023 season. Rep. Hoyle joined in that effort, urging then-Secretary Raimondo to expeditiously approve the Governor's request.

The federal fishery resource disaster process requires NOAA to determine a fishery disaster has taken place and then the Office of Management and Budget must also agree to allocate funds.

Congress provided $300 million in fishery disaster assistance funds in December 2024, but those funds had not yet been released. Last year, Rep. Hoyle demanded Director Russell Vought promptly release money for Oregon's fishermen. Funds were finally allocated this month, shortly after Rep. Hoyle's line of questioning in committee.

Congresswoman Hoyle is the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee's Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee. You can watch her exchange with NOAA witness Dr. Petty here.

In December 2024, Rep. Hoyle voted for the FISHES Act to help expedite the distribution of federal disaster relief following fisheries disasters.

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