Letter to Kathryn Sullivan, Administrator of NOAA - New England Fishery Disaster Funding

Letter

Dr. Kathryn Sullivan
Administrator
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Dr. Sullivan,

Thank you for your work to reach a compromise in New England regarding the distribution of the region's fishery disaster funding. I also want to thank you for the transparency and openness with which your agency conducted this process and for your thorough engagement of local stakeholders.

This compromise plan will allow coastal communities in my state and across the region to see immediate benefits. It provides states with the autonomy to make individual decisions about the unique needs within their own borders while permitting time for careful consideration of the design of any federal buyout or industry-funded buyback program.

The specific details and design of the buyout or buyback program will significantly determine its effect on the region. It is vital that the program contain safeguards that prevent the acceleration of industry consolidation and preserve the diversity of our fishing fleet. New Hampshire has already seen the dramatic decline of our fishing industry in recent years, with fewer than 20 vessels actively fishing in 2013. I am concerned that a buyout or buyback could reduce the industry in my state even further and that the re-distribution process of remaining fishing quota could disadvantage small boat New Hampshire fishermen.

I urge you to continue to consider local input from all sectors of the industry in this process and to strive to ensure the outcome fully protects the sustainability of the industry in my state and across the region.

I appreciate your thorough attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen

United States Senator

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