Delegation pleas for groundfish relief
Maine's congressional delegation has joined nine other New England representatives to call for federal help for the region's groundfishing industry, according to Maine Today Media.
Late last month, the New England Fishery Management Council backed a 77% cut to the cod catch limits in the Gulf of Maine after funds for New England fishery aid was removed from a $60 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill. The catch limit cuts are now subject to approval by the Northern Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
All four members of Maine's delegation signed a letter to federal regulators asking that NOAA consider the burden the catch limits place on the industry, and requesting a prompt decision from the agency on whether fishermen can carry over unused catch limit quotas from previous years. The letter also requests federal money to research the declining groundfish populations.
The media organization also reported that Massachusetts Rep. John Tierney is expected to submit new legislation requesting disaster relief funding for the New England fishery and others.
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