Money to Help Fish Processing

       Fishermen who pack out their catch from a commercial fishing dock on West Lake Drive in Montauk learned last week that a $120,000 Empire State Development agency grant was approved for the restoration of a packing and distribution building that a fire gutted in May 2012.

       The release, issued last Thursday by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., said the money would be used to purchase machinery and equipment that was destroyed and to expand the dockside processing and distribution services. “The commercial fishing dock is a vital part of the fishing infrastructure,” Mr. Thiele said.

       The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the total cost of $560,000 is being paid through a combination of grants and loans. Historically, commercial fishing has been crucial to the regional economy, and the rebuilding and dock improvements should help generate additional revenue in the future, Mr. Thiele said.