WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today joined members of Maine’s fishing industry to discuss federal policies involving developments in the groundfish, lobster, herring, scallop, and other fisheries at the 36th annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. Senator Snowe, who visited with forum participants, also addressed concerns related to affiliated businesses and industries.
“It was truly an honor to join members of Maine’s fishing industry, whose perseverance is emblematic of our state’s identity that was forged through the hard work of generations before us, at the 36th annual Fishermen’s Forum,” said Senator Snowe. “The past few years have presented several challenges – from drastic reductions in allowable catch, typically challenging weather, rock-bottom prices, and continuing federal bureaucracy – which our fisheries and fisherman have worked tirelessly to overcome. Working in close cooperation with local, state, and federal officials, we have made progress restoring our groundfishery and just last month, legislation that I authored allowed representatives of the New England Fishery Management Council, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Canadian fishery managers to increase catch levels for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder by 44 percent more than previously established quotas for 2011.”