New York's Senator
CHARLES E. SCHUMER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2000
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL FISHERY DISASTER DECLARATION
FOR LONG ISLAND SOUND
US Commerce Secretary Makes Declaration in Response to Lobster
Die-Off
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the US Department
of Commerce tomorrow will declare Long Island Sound a Commercial
Fishery Disaster in response to the lobster die-off in the Sound.
Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, who Schumer has lobbied extensively
concerning the disaster declaration, notified Schumer of the declaration
in a phone call today.
"This bacteria threatens the livelihoods of the 900 New Yorkers
who depend upon the lobster industry," said Schumer. "With
about eight of every 100 lobsters being caught dead, this industry
is in great peril. I am delighted that Secretary Daley has recognized
the seriousness of this situation and I will continue to work to
ensure that the Long Island Sound area receives the funding necessary
to get to the bottom of the die-off."
New York is the nation's third largest producer of lobsters, behind
Maine and Massachusetts. Lobster harvesters in New York, who produce
8.5 million pounds of lobsters worth nearly $30 million every year,
first reported the die-off in mid-September. To date, pathologists
have been unable to identify the cause of the die-off.
In a letter to Secretary Daley last month, Schumer, along with
Senator Moynihan and Reps. Nita Lowey, Michael Forbes and Gary Ackerman,
asked for the disaster declaration to mitigate the effects of the
die-off.
"We urge you to provide any and all assistance within your
power to assist these lobster harvesters, communities, small business
owners, and employees of these businesses," wrote Schumer and
his colleagues. "With no end to this die-off in sight, people
are fearing not only the loss of a normally lucrative season, but
the near end of an industry."
The Commercial Fishery Disaster Declaration is a federal designation
which will authorize Congress to appropriate funds for the Long
Island Sound area.
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