The Vista Pública de la Comisión de Agricultura held on September 26, 2023, focused on addressing the challenges faced by local fishing communities in Puerto Rico, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. The meeting provided a platform for representatives from various fishing associations to voice their concerns and seek assistance from government agencies.

The session began with a representative from the municipality of Toa Baja discussing the impact of Hurricane María on local fishing ramps. The representative highlighted that the municipality owns the fishing ramp, which was severely damaged during the hurricane. Despite efforts to repair it using personal funds, subsequent storms rendered the ramp unusable, forcing local fishermen to rely on alternative ramps. The representative emphasized the need for urgent assistance to restore the ramp and related structures, citing high repair costs and ongoing communication challenges with local officials.

Following this, Juan Cortiña, a commercial fisherman and spokesperson for the Centro Agropecuario de Cataño, presented the concerns of approximately twenty to twenty-five fishermen from the area. Cortiña echoed the sentiments of previous speakers regarding the distribution of funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the difficulties faced by fishermen during emergencies. He suggested that discussions on fund distribution should be streamlined to avoid delays and ensure that aid reaches those in need promptly.

The meeting underscored the critical need for government support in restoring vital fishing infrastructure and improving the distribution of emergency funds to assist local fishermen in recovering from the impacts of natural disasters. The discussions highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the fishing community and the importance of collaboration between local associations and government agencies to address these issues effectively.