WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that State Directors from the six states affected by the New England Multispecies Groundfish Fishery disaster reached agreement on a plan to allocate the $32.8 million that was secured for this disaster in the Fiscal Year 2014 funding bill. This consensus plan comes after many meetings between state directors and the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator John Bullard. The funding will help assist struggling fishermen across New England, including in Maine.  This plan, which was agreed to by all six states, will be divided into three categories: nearly $11 million for immediate direct assistance to local fishermen; nearly $11 million for the immediate discretionary use of states; and $11 million will be reserved for state directors and industry to work together with NOAA to further discussions surrounding a buyout or buyback. Of funds to be immediately distributed, Maine is expected to receive $2.26 million for direct assistance and discretionary grants.       

“We commend the hard work of the state fisheries directors, including Maine DMR Commissioner Pat Keliher, in reaching consensus on a plan to deliver much-needed immediate economic assistance to New England’s historic groundfishing industry,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Maine’s fishermen have struggled to cope with depleted fish stocks, a changing ocean environment, and complex regulations.  This federal funding will not only provide immediate relief to Maine’s struggling groundfishing industry, but will allow states to make targeted investments to help the fishery become more sustainable for years to come and help address the long-term economic benefit to the fleet.”

In September 2012, the U.S. Commerce Department declared a disaster in the Northeast groundfishing industry, which opened the door for Congress to appropriate funding to help alleviate the financial hardship caused by dwindling fish stock.  In January, with Senators Collins’ and King’s support, Congress approved the Fiscal Year 2014 federal funding bill that appropriated $75 million for the mitigation of fishery disasters around the country, including $32.8 for the New England Multispecies Groundfish Fishery disaster.

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