Screenshot of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Steinhatchee on Oct. 23, 2024.
Gov. Ron DeSantis returned to Taylor County in North Florida’s Big Bend Wednesday to announce that the state will contribute $1 million from the Florida Disaster Fund to support rebuilding of working waterfronts damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
In addition, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Foundation will make an additional grant from the fund to rebuild boat slips, repair fish houses, give financial assistance to aquaculture businesses, and finance other important infrastructure repairs to Florida’s fishing economy across the region.
Florida’s commercial fishing industry is estimated to generate “close to $10 billion” in annual revenues to the state, DeSantis said during a press briefing held at the Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee.
The governor said preliminary surveys taken after Helene’s hit indicated tremendous damage in the region.
“Buildings are damaged,” he said. “Commercial coolers and warehouses are damaged. Retail wholesale products in cold storage, lost to spoilage. Dockage and boat ramps damaged. Debris-blocked waterways preventing safe navigation to fishermen, and significant aqueduct infrastructure rendered unusable.”
The governor said that in response to the recent damage that the state was submitting a federal fisheries disaster declaration. “If the federal government approves this declaration, it will unlock additional resources that can be directed to this area to help rebuild the important industry,” he said.