New England fishery to get $32.8M in aid
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to award $32.8 million in federal disaster relief funds to help fishermen in the Northeast hit by dwindling stocks of groundfish species last year.
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King reported that the disaster declaration includes a waiver of a requirement for states to put up a match of 25% of the federal funds.
Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, said in a statement that the relief funds will help the fishery “build toward a more productive and sustainable future.” Federal regulators cut catch limits by up to 73% last year for cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder and other groundfish species whose populations were not replenishing quickly enough.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments