PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Sept. 14, 2012 — Seacoast fishermen are just beginning to sort out the potential impacts of the U.S. Department of Commerce's declaration of a disaster for the Northeast commercial fishing industry.
On Wednesday, acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank issued fishery disaster determinations in the Northeast, Alaska and Mississippi. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the declarations pave the way for Congress to appropriate money toward alleviating the financial hardship caused by the disaster.
"If money is appropriated, NOAA will work closely with Congress and the states to develop plans to preserve coastal communities," the statement said.
In New England, despite fishermen's adherence to strict catch limits, several key fish stocks — most prominently cod — in the Northeast groundfish fishery are not rebuilding according to NOAA and further cuts are expected in 2013.
In a letter from Blank to Gov. John Lynch, the Department of Commerce official said she became "deeply concerned" about potential impacts to Northeast fishermen and fishing communities after reviewing information available on the potential catch limits for 2013.
"The Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will continue to engage with the New England Fishery Management Council and the fishing industry in advance of the 2013 fishing year to explore all possible options to mitigate these impacts," she wrote. "However, it seems unlikely that all economic impacts can be mitigated solely through fisheries management measures."
Politicians hailed the disaster declaration as providing much-needed relief to fishermen and communities affected by lost revenues and fishery management decisions.
Read the full article at Seacoastonline