From the Office of Senator Kerry

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC ¡V Economic assistance for Massachusetts fishermen and fishing communities is on its way, Senator John Kerry announced today.

As a result of language secured by Kerry in the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, $11 million in economic assistance was made available to fishing communities of New England affected by recent federal court-ordered closures and fishing restrictions in the Northeast groundfish industry. Massachusetts fishermen and fishing communities will receive $5.5 million of the funds; Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island each received approximately $2 million.

¡§Massachusetts fishing families have been struggling for far too long,¡¨ said Kerry, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries. ¡§Last year¡¦s court decision pushed segments of the industry to near collapse. While they will not completely replace everything these families have lost, these funds will provide a lifeline to the hardest hit sectors of the Northeast Groundfish Fishery.¡¨

The funds will be distributed by the Division of Marine Fisheries through three main programs: a Lost Income Subsidy (LIS), a Fishing Infrastructure Subsidy (FIS), and an Insurance Premium Subsidy (IPS).

„X The LIS program will compensate federal multi-species permit holders for days-at-sea lost due to court-ordered restrictions. Fishermen who lost more than two days-at-sea may receive compensation for those lost days.

„X The FIS program may provide a set amount of money, to participants in the groundfish (multi-species) fishery who fish exclusively in State waters, but have been significantly impacted by state restrictions which mirror federal cutbacks.

„X Pending the availability of funds, the IPS program may assist qualified non-vessel owners (crew) with payment of insurance premiums. This is the only state program in the Northeast that is attempting to provide assistance to crew.

The Division of Marine Fisheries expects the funds to be distributed as quickly as possible, with the goal for distribution of LIS and FIS funds to be completed before mid-April. Federal multi-species permit holders qualifying for the LIS program will receive applications in the mail. Vessel owners seeking FIS funds and non-vessel owners seeking IPS funds should contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (617) 626-1521.