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A photo collage of just some of the projects being recommended for funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and NOAA's Climate-Ready Coasts initiative. (Image credit: NOAA)
Today, Vice President Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $169,000 for a project in Delaware to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change, as part of the Investing in America agenda. The project in Delaware will create jobs and boost economic and environmental outcomes for coastal communities. The awards are made under the Biden Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) with additional funds leveraged from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
“Crabbing is an essential industry and pastime in Delaware, and in order to ensure its longevity, we have to do it sustainably,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to recommend these funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help volunteers from The First State round up derelict crab pots and teach responsible crabbing.”
Administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Climate-Ready Coasts initiative is focused on investing in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon; build resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restore coastal habitats that help wildlife and humans thrive; and provide employment opportunities.
“Volunteers are vital to efforts to keep our waterways clear of debris,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “This investment will help address the problem of derelict crab pots and educate recreational crabbers on responsible crabbing practices.”
This project is part of NOAA’s nearly $6 billion total investment under BIL and IRA. The recommended project and funding amount in Delaware is:
- Fish-Finders for Stewardship: Training Volunteers to use Side-Scan Sonar to Find and Remove Derelict Crab Pots From Delaware’s Recreational Blue Crab Fishery
Delaware Sea Grant: $169,000
Funding Source: Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions
This investment will reduce the prevalence of derelict crab pots from waters used by the recreational crabbing industry in Delaware’s Inland Bays through community education and volunteers. This project will transition Delaware’s volunteer-based derelict crab pot round-ups from a highly university-dependent project to a primarily community-based activity while also supporting outreach and education programming for residents on responsible crabbing practices.
