NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — July 14, 2014 — A series of hearings will be held next week, including one in New Bedford, regarding proposals for the use of $8.2 million in fisheries disaster relief from the federal government, Gov. Deval Patrick announced Thursday.
The local hearing will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Waypoint Event Center at the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites. The Department of Fish and Game's Division of Marine Fisheries is holding the hearings as part of the process of sending a proposal to NOAA fisheries.
Overall, Massachusetts is getting $14.5 million in disaster relief. About a third of that will go to permit holders hit hard by sharply reduced quotas, and another third will go toward a boat buyback program, the details of which are not complete.
That will leave $8.2 million in discretionary spending. Some of that money could go to crew members who will not benefit from the payments to permit holders.
Other hearings scheduled are scheduled in Gloucester, Plymouth and Chatham.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard Times