WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that, with her support, the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee has approved a Fiscal Year 2014 funding bill that includes $150 million to aid struggling ground fishermen in the Northeast, including Maine, and other areas of the country.
In September 2012, the U.S. Commerce Department declared a federal disaster in the Northeast groundfishing industry. This declaration opened the door for Congress to appropriate funding to help alleviate the financial hardship caused by dwindling fish stock, yet the funding has never been appropriated.
"There are approximately 70 Maine-based boats actively fishing with federal groundfish permits, which contribute to both the local and state economy," said Senator Collins. "While it has been more than ten months since the federal government declared a disaster, the declaration has not led to financial relief. The funding in this bill would be used to provide both immediate economic relief to the region's struggling groundfish industry, and to make targeted investments that will allow the fleet to survive and become more sustainable in the years ahead."
This bill must now be approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, which is scheduled to consider it tomorrow.