USDA approves low interest loans for Long Island's oyster farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared Suffolk County a disaster area during this winter’s heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, throwing a lifeline to aqua farmers hit hard by the cold snap through emergency loans.

The disaster declaration follows the freezing temperatures, ice floes and tidal surge that gripped the county from Jan. 26 to Feb. 23. Those conditions damaged oyster farming equipment, costing growers roughly $2.4 million in damage to gear and a 33% loss in crops, industry officials have estimated.

Long Island Farm Bureau Executive Director Bill Zalakar said many shell fishing businesses expect the winter weather's damage on their fishing infrastructure and crops to reverberate for a couple years.

"It is going to be important for the aquaculture people to get this funding — without a doubt," Zalakar said in a phone interview.

Matt Ketcham, of Peconic Gold Oysters, said the loans will help him purchase oyster seed to replace crops that died this winter, along with the crushed cages he's been pulling from his farm since February.

"We need a lot of cages to replace what is not able to be repaired, and cages have become increasingly expensive," he said in a text message.

Gov. Kathy Hochul formally requested the declaration on April 9. Businesses in the disaster area that suffered a loss can be eligible for low interest loans through the USDA's Farm Service Agency, according to a news release.

“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,” Hochul said.

Earlier this month, Hochul announced 14 oyster farmers will receive $3 million from the state to help fund new docks, equipment and other tools to support aquaculture farms, Newsday has reported.

Some aid from the USDA could benefit businesses in Nassau County, which, bordering Suffolk, is designated a contiguous county for the purpose of disaster aid under USDA rules.

“This is great news as those who make their living on the water in Suffolk County are committed to seeing their industries flourish," Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said in a statement. “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.”