Ayotte Continues to Stand Up for New Hampshire's Small Boat Fishermen

Press Release

Continuing her efforts to help New Hampshire's devastated small boat fishermen get back on the water and fishing, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) pressed a Commerce Department nominee to commit to reviewing onerous federal regulations that have decimated the state's fishing industry. Ayotte called on Bruce Andrews, the President's nominee to serve as Deputy Commerce Secretary, to work with her and the state's congressional delegation to make sure that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) policies don't drive New Hampshire's small boat fishermen out of business.

"Our small fishermen in New Hampshire have been devastated by, in particular, the cod quotas, by the catch share regulations coming out of NOAA and Commerce," said Senator Ayotte. "How can we look at these regulations again, in light of sustaining our small fishermen and women who just want to make a living off the waters? For many of them it's a family tradition and we're very proud of them."

Since arriving in the Senate, Ayotte has been a strong and consistent voice raising concerns that NOAA has measured fish stocks and catch history in New Hampshire based on insufficient records and incomplete or nonexistent data - resulting in onerous catch share reductions that have sidelined the state's small boat fishermen.

While Ayotte expressed appreciation for NOAA's efforts to quickly distribute disaster aid to northeast fishermen, she once again highlighted the need for long-term relief from federal regulations so that New Hampshire's small boat fishermen can get back to doing what they love: "How do we put fishermen in a position to continue their livelihood of making a living on the waters?"

At the hearing, Senator Ayotte also raised concerns she has heard from fishermen in the state about a potential federal buy-out or buy-back program- which she warned could effectively put them out of business while also eliminating a way of life in New Hampshire.

Ayotte said: "New Hampshire fishermen are concerned about [emergency federal] funds being used for a buy-out buy- back program. They want to get back on the water and fish and not relinquish their boats and livelihoods because of these regulations. One of the big concerns I have about a buy-out or buy-back program is that we're going to increase consolidation in the fleet and so some of these small fishermen will get bought up and then we'll just have the large fleets. Nothing against the large fleets, but these are small business owners working hard in something they love to do and it's important to them and I think we should stand up for them as well."

Ayotte secured a commitment from Mr. Andrews to speak directly with New Hampshire fishermen if he is confirmed.

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