WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 14, 2012 – Senator John Kerry and Congressman Barney Frank will join Saving Seafood executive director Bob Vanasse today on WBSM's Saving Seafood Radio.
Last week, Senator Kerry and Sen. Olympia Snowe introduced legislation to restore funds collected under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act of 1954 to "help the fishermen and communities for whom it was originally intended."
The Saltonstall-Kennedy Fund has supported fishery research and market development projects in the 58 years since its passage. However, beginning in 1979 increasing amounts of Saltonstall-Kennedy dollars have been transferred to help fund NOAA. Since FY1982, the S-K program has never allocated the minimum amount (50% after FY1980 and 60% after FY1983) specified by law for industry projects.
The bill is being sponsored in the House by Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Frank Guinta (R-New Hampshire). It has received widespread support from both industry and environmental groups. Rick Robbins, chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Council, and Lee Crockett of the Pew Environment Group will also be guests on the show.