Letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader - Pallone, Kim Lead NJ Delegation in Call for Fishing Industry Aid in Next Coronavirus Package

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy,
As you negotiate the upcoming COVID-19 relief package, we urge you to include robust assistance
to the nation's fishing industry, including thousands of hardworking New Jerseyans and their
families.
The commercial and recreational fishing industry in our home state of New Jersey has felt the
devastating economic impacts of the pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting
economic downturn, restaurants that serve seafood have either closed or reduced operations. This
reduction along with a decline in tourism have caused significant disruptions throughout the
seafood supply chain and created substantial economic hardship for both commercial and charter
fishing operations in our state.
New Jersey was among the hardest and earliest hit states by the pandemic and continues to have
one of the highest counts of COVID-19 cases in the nation. The pandemic arrived in New Jersey
at the start of the critically important Striped Bass and Black Fish season, leading to devastating
results for our fishing industry. With bipartisan support, Congress has already acted once to deliver
$300 million in aid targeting fishing communities throughout the country. Congress must act once
again to save this vital industry and protect those in our state and across the country who rely on
it.
The men and women of New Jersey's fishing communities dedicate their lives to putting food on
our tables and now it's time for us to ensure there's food on theirs. On behalf of thousands of
families throughout New Jersey, we urge you to include robust funding for America's fishing
industry and thank you for your continued support.

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