Regional Impact Evaluation: An Initial Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Sandy on New Jersey and New York Commercial and Recreational Fishing Sectors.

摘要

Sandy struck New Jersey and New York on October 29, 2012. On November 16, the Secretary of Commerce declared a federal fisheries disaster in New York and New Jersey, citing Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Section 315 and Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (IFA) Section 308(d). This report provides results from a rapid appraisal of impacts to fishing communities in New York and New Jersey from Sandy. This report also serves as NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) 60 day assessment of impacts from Sandy, a requirement for disaster declarations filed under MSA 315. More specifically, MSA 315 requires that within two months after a catastrophic regional fishery disaster, the Secretary of Commerce, through NOAA Fisheries, will provide the Governors of affected states (in this case New York and New Jersey) an economic and socio-economic evaluation of the affected regions fisheries using the best information available. The goals of this evaluation are to assess the impacts of Sandy in affected communities that are involved in commercial or charter fishing, and characterize the effects of the storm on fishing-related businesses and infrastructure. The information contained herein is not the sole source of information the Governors will have on Sandy impacts. That is, coincident to the NMFS community rapid appraisal effort, New Jersey and New York also conducted damage assessments to their fisheries and fishing industries. The other studies NMFS is aware of include a bait and tackle shop survey, a for-hire survey, and an appraisal of impacts to aquaculture facilities by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP). The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC) conducted assessments of recreational fishing sites that included public ramps and piers, and, in cooperation with New York Sea Grant, a survey of for-hire operations and bait and tackle shops. Taken as a whole, the NMFS assessments, the New York assessments, and New Jersey assessments can provide valuable insights into the impacts of Sandy on fishing-related businesses. These evaluations can assist the Governors in assessing the current and future economic viability of affected fisheries.