SEABROOK, N.H. — May 30, 2014 — New Hampshire’s beleaguered commercial fishing industry will receive more than $2 million in federal disaster funds, nearly half of which will go directly to groundfishermen who have suffered financially from regulations that drastically limited their catch.
The money is part of a compromise reached between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New England states on how to distribute $32.8 million in federal fishery disaster funds, part of $75 million in disaster relief resources that were secured earlier this year.
“The Northeast Groundfish Disaster has significantly affected New Hampshire’s treasured fishing industry, threatening our fishing infrastructure and causing economic harm across our state,” Gov. Maggie Hassan announced in her statement concerning the distribution agreement.
Hassan thanked those involved, including state fishery directors and NOAA, adding that she hoped “they continue to recognize that additional funds are needed to adequately address the unique needs of this critical New Hampshire industry.”
In late February officials at Seabrook’s Yankee Fisherman’s Cooperative heard that nearly $33 million in fishery disaster relief funds had been allocated to those in the Northeast who make their living on the sea. Since then they’ve waited to learn how much of the money will trickle down to New Hampshire’s commercial groundfishing fleet owners, about two-thirds of whom work out of the Seabrook Cooperative.