October 23, 2007
Feds deny disaster relief for fishermen
The federal government yesterday denied disaster assistance for groundfishermen in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The request stemmed from falling revenues for groundfish landings, which fell 25% from 2005 to 2006, according to the Bangor Daily News. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday it would deny the relief request because groundfish stocks in 14 populations off the states' coasts are rebounding, some by as much as 500% over the last decade, according to the Daily News.
Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins released a statement expressing their disappointment in the decision. The Maine senators have asked NOAA to further justify its decision and are supporting Congressional legislation that would provide $15 million in "regional coastal fisheries disaster assistance," according to a press release.
The request stemmed from falling revenues for groundfish landings, which fell 25% from 2005 to 2006, according to the Bangor Daily News. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday it would deny the relief request because groundfish stocks in 14 populations off the states' coasts are rebounding, some by as much as 500% over the last decade, according to the Daily News.
Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins released a statement expressing their disappointment in the decision. The Maine senators have asked NOAA to further justify its decision and are supporting Congressional legislation that would provide $15 million in "regional coastal fisheries disaster assistance," according to a press release.
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