Boston Herald - Senate Adopts Resolution Urging Fishing aid for New England

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Boston Herald - Senate Adopts Resolution Urging Fishing aid for New England

The U.S. Senate has asked the Secretary of Commerce to re-examine a decision denying emergency assistance to New England fishermen.

The resolution, which passed Tuesday, urges that the Department of Commerce reverse an October decision rejecting a request from the governors of Rhode Island, Maine and Massachusetts to declare a fisheries resource disaster in their states. Declaring such a failure could result in financial assistance for fishermen.

New Hampshire authorities previously said they would make a similar request.

The governors have argued that strict federal fishing regulations have limited the catch and hurt fishermen economically.

"At a time when it is costing our fishermen more to fuel up their boats and regulations are limiting their catches, we need to provide our fishermen with some measure of relief," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said in a written statement.

The resolution sends the message that the Senate recognizes the importance of the fishing industry to the economy in Maine and New England, said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

"This industry has been hard hit and needs some relief. I urge the Department of Commerce to take a second look at the grave situation this industry is experiencing," Collins said.

Officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have said that while groundfish revenue declined in Massachusetts and Maine from 2005 to 2006, the situation is not a fishery failure. Groundfish revenue in Rhode Island increased during the same period, although there are far fewer fishermen in the state.

NOAA spokesman Anson Franklin said in a written statement that the agency stood by its decision.

"We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to strike the right balance: supporting the fishing sector while protecting the environment and the nation's resources," he said.

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