Governor Hochul secures federal USDA disaster declaration to help Long Island aquaculture growers recover from massive winter losses

Albany, New York – A brutal winter that buried parts of Long Island under heavy snow and locked coastal waterways in ice for weeks has now triggered federal disaster assistance for shellfish growers struggling to recover from catastrophic losses. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the United States Department of Agriculture has officially granted a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Suffolk County, opening the door for emergency financial relief to the region’s battered aquaculture sector.

The designation follows a formal request made by the governor after oyster and shellfish farmers reported widespread operational destruction caused by severe February 2026 weather conditions. The combination of deep freezes, persistent ice formation, and heavy snowfall crippled harvesting operations across coastal waters and left many growers unable to reach their farms for extended stretches of time.

Under the declaration, aquaculture businesses in both Suffolk County and neighboring Nassau County are now eligible to apply for low-interest emergency loans and other federal disaster assistance through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Industry officials estimate the total losses tied to the weather disaster at nearly $2.4 million.

“Early last month, I urged the USDA to take swift action to declare Suffolk County a disaster area and help our aquaculture growers get the assistance they need to recover and move forward,” Governor Hochul said. “With this Secretarial Disaster Declaration, the producers who have seen economic loss can now take advantage of low-interest loans to help ensure they’re able to sustain their operations. I have long been committed to helping this important agricultural sector grow and thrive, and the State will continue to support the industry through this hardship.”

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For Long Island’s shellfish growers, the winter season turned into something far more destructive than a temporary inconvenience. Bays and waterways froze over, ice piled up around vessels and equipment, and access to oyster beds became nearly impossible in many locations. Farmers who rely on daily harvesting schedules suddenly found themselves stranded on shore while damage mounted across their operations.

The impact extended beyond delayed harvests. According to assessments conducted by local officials and industry partners, extensive ice accumulation damaged racks, cages, lines, boats, and critical aquaculture infrastructure. Some growers reportedly suffered production losses exceeding 30 percent, a devastating blow for an industry largely made up of small and family-owned businesses already operating on tight margins.

Repair costs alone are expected to approach $2.4 million, with many operators now facing the difficult challenge of rebuilding equipment while attempting to maintain business continuity.

Recognizing the seriousness of the crisis, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton toured impacted businesses across Long Island on April 8, 2026. The visit provided state officials with a firsthand look at the destruction caused by the prolonged freeze and gave growers an opportunity to explain the financial and operational toll the weather event had taken on the region’s maritime economy.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The damage our shellfish growers saw this winter was unprecedented, with severe damage costing them millions of dollars. I am thankful to the Governor for her ongoing support of the industry and request to the USDA for this Secretarial Disaster Declaration. By elevating our concerns to the USDA, our growers will now have access to emergency loans that will offer financial relief to area farmers.”

The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation also emphasized the broader environmental and economic implications of the disaster. Long Island’s shellfish industry does not only support local jobs and seafood production; it also plays a significant role in maintaining coastal ecosystems and preserving working waterfront communities that have existed for generations.

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “The shellfish aquaculture populations across Long Island’s coastal waters were devastated during winter weather, impacting growers who rely on these resources for their livelihoods. We continue to thank Governor Hochul for her advocacy calling on a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration for the shellfish aquaculture industry to assist impacted business owners. DEC encourages impacted business owners to submit fishery revenue information and landing reports as the next step in obtaining a potential NOAA Fishery Disaster Declaration.”

The severe weather event has also intensified discussions about how increasingly unpredictable climate conditions are affecting coastal industries throughout New York. Legislators and local officials repeatedly pointed to the growing vulnerability of aquaculture operations that depend heavily on stable marine conditions and uninterrupted access to waterways.

State Senator Monica R. Martinez said, “For most, this winter’s harsh conditions were an inconvenience, but for Long Island’s aquaculture industry, the cold and ice caused significant losses for its operators. I thank Governor Hochul and the USDA for recognizing the impact this extreme weather had on a very important part of our region’s economy as it recovers from the damage.”

Assemblymember Charles Lavine described the winter as one of the harshest in recent memory and said the federal assistance would provide critical support to struggling businesses.

“With record snowfall totals and plummeting temperatures, this past winter was one of the most brutal we have experienced in recent memory. The harsh conditions took a toll on all of us. Now, thanks to the initiative of Governor Hochul, Long Island businesses in the aquaculture industry, that sustained significant damage to their operations, will soon have an easier time getting some much-needed financial relief,” Lavine said.

Assemblymember Michaelle Solages stressed that Long Island’s aquaculture industry is deeply tied to both the regional economy and the identity of coastal communities throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“Long Island’s aquaculture industry is a critical part of both our coastal economy, as well as our local identity. This industry supports small businesses and working waterfront communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. It is a tremendous relief to have an executive in Governor Hochul who can see the serious impact that extreme winter conditions this past season had on shellfish growers and who is willing to respond accordingly with appropriate measures to ease their financial burden. As climate-related weather events continue to place increasing pressure on coastal industries, we must remain committed to protecting the workers and businesses that sustain Long Island’s maritime economy.”

Assemblymember Steve Stern highlighted the environmental importance of the shellfish sector alongside its economic role, noting that many affected businesses are family-owned operations that form the backbone of the local marine economy.

“The Aquaculture Industry is a vital part of the Suffolk County economy and the marine environment is critical to the overall health of our fragile eco-system. The unusually harsh winter caused significant losses and adversely affected this industry, which is largely composed of small family-owned operations. I applaud Governor Hochul, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball and State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton for their efforts to secure a Secretarial Disaster Designation from the Federal Government, which will enable the shellfish aquaculture sector to access emergency loans from the United States Department of Agriculture, to continue operations and move forward,” Stern said.

Assemblymember Judy Griffin said the relief funding could help stabilize operations that were pushed to the brink after months of weather-related disruptions.

“The relief funding for the shellfish aquaculture industry on Long Island will help the small and family-owned businesses hardest hit to recoup their losses and restore stability. This vital investment will mitigate the damages incurred by heavy snowfall and deep freezes in order to help these businesses in both Nassau and Suffolk counties thrive again. I am grateful to the NYS Department of Agriculture and the NYS DEC for their swift action in assisting our local businesses,” Griffin said.

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni also emphasized the importance of federal intervention, describing the designation as a lifeline for farmers attempting to restore operations after months of setbacks.

“A disaster declaration from the federal government is crucial for our aquaculture industry, given the devastating impact of the past winter. This designation will facilitate access to low-interest loans for our farmers, enabling them to restore operations to full capacity. I am grateful to the governor for acknowledging the importance of this legacy industry, and I am proud to stand alongside those who champion Long Island’s maritime culture and its blue economy,” Schiavoni said.

Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay pointed to the deep historical ties between Long Island communities and the shellfish industry, saying the federal assistance would help preserve an important part of the region’s heritage.

“With its many coastal communities, Long Island’s identity is tied to our aquaculture industry: It is a vital part of our economy, our environment and our heritage. The severe winter weather this past season created enormous challenges for regional shellfish growers and small family-run operations that work year-round to sustain our local industry. I thank Governor Hochul for fighting to secure this federal disaster designation and for recognizing the urgent need to support the Long Island aquaculture community with access to emergency resources. This assistance will help impacted producers recover, rebuild and continue contributing to Suffolk County’s maritime heritage and economy for generations to come,” Kassay said.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine described the announcement as a major boost for local water-based industries that endured severe damage during the winter months.

“This is great news as those who make their living on the water in Suffolk County are committed to seeing their industries flourish. These funds will help our oyster growers recover from a brutal winter that destroyed costly equipment. The shell fishing industry is part of Suffolk County’s history, and we all have to do all we can to keep this important business viable and growing,” Romaine said.

The USDA designation now enables eligible farm operators in Suffolk and Nassau counties to seek emergency financial support through the Farm Service Agency. Farmers will have eight months from the date of the declaration to submit applications for relief programs and emergency loan assistance.

At the same time, state agencies are continuing to gather financial and operational data from affected businesses as part of an ongoing evaluation for additional federal support through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Officials with the Department of Environmental Conservation are encouraging aquaculture operators to continue submitting fishery revenue data and landing reports that may assist in securing a NOAA Federal Fisheries Disaster Declaration connected to the winter event.

State officials say interagency coordination efforts remain active as agencies continue documenting the scale of the damage and monitoring the industry’s recovery process.

The shellfish aquaculture industry remains a major component of New York’s coastal economy. From oyster farming to shellfish harvesting, the sector supports regional seafood production, sustains employment across waterfront communities, and contributes to environmental health through water filtration and ecosystem maintenance.

Yet the crisis that unfolded this winter exposed just how vulnerable the industry can become when extreme weather disrupts coastal operations for prolonged periods. Frozen waterways, immobilized vessels, damaged infrastructure, and lost harvests combined to create one of the most severe weather-related setbacks Long Island’s aquaculture growers have faced in years.

For many producers, the federal disaster declaration may not erase the damage already done, but it offers something they desperately needed after months of uncertainty — a pathway toward recovery.