Massachusetts Fishermen Receive $8.3 Million in Disaster Relief

Much needed financial support is headed toward Massachusetts fisheries this month, according to Governor Patrick’s Administration.

The administration announced $8.3 million will be disbursed to Massachusetts ground fishermen who have seen a decline in revenue following catch shares and decreased groundfish stocks.

“Fishermen in the Northeast are facing financial hardships because of the unexpectedly slow rebuilding of fish stocks,” Rebecca Blank, the acting secretary of commerce, said in a statement to The New York Times after the state declared disaster in 2012.

This is the second round of funding from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) after the state’s 2012 federal disaster declaration for ground fishermen. The first round of funding disbursed $6.3 million to fishermen and their families. This round will assist those not covered in Phase 1 such as federal limited access multispecies permit holders, state permit holders, for-hire groundfish permit holders, crew members and other members of the industry.

“Massachusetts’s fishing communities have suffered in the last few years as the cod catch has shrunk,” Senator Edward J. Markey said. “This influx of aid in the new year will provide some much needed relief to fishing crew members, shoreside businesses and permit holders who were left out of the first round of assistance.

Gov. Deval Patrick said in a statement that the funding represents “critical assistance needed to support our fishing community as it copes with the ongoing fisheries disaster.” The governor said he has and will continue to advocate for the groundfish industry to “ensure its short and long term vitality in the Commonwealth.”

Six New England states have declared disaster and received support from NOAA’s first wave of funding. Congress granted $75 million in funds to provide relief to fisheries in all six states. Massachusetts, which makes up 90 percent of New England’s groundfish industry, is the first state to receive Phase 2 funding.

The state’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) filed the Commonwealth’s Phase 2 grant application with NOAA on Oct. 24, 2014. John Bullard, North East Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries, says funds should be in the Commonwealth’s hands by the end of January.

“While these funds will help in the near term, we must continue to work for solutions that support strong seaside economies,” Senator Markey said. “Massachusetts has depended on the ocean’s bounty since its beginnings, and it must remain a critical part of its future.”

image via wikimedia

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