Contact:  Gordon Helm           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                5/1/96

NOAA PROPOSES EMERGENCY AID TO GULF FISHERMEN FOR FISHING GEAR LOSS OR DAMAGE

Commercial fishermen who have sustained damage or total loss of fishing gear due to hurricanes, floods, or their after-effects may be eligible for compensation under a new program proposed today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service.

NOAA is seeking public comment on a proposal to implement a $5 million emergency aid program to award grants to commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico for such uninsured losses or damages occurring from Aug. 23, 1992, through Dec. 31, 1995.

"These disaster funds were authorized by the Inter- jurisdictional Fisheries Act for the purpose of assisting fishermen who suffered uninsured losses as a direct result of fishery resource disasters," said Rolland Schmitten, fisheries service director.

Last year, Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown declared fisheries disasters in the Gulf of Mexico and made available emergency aid totaling $15 million. This aid was part of a larger, $53 million aid package for fishermen that also included the Northwest and Northeast.

"We have designed a program that we think will respond to the needs of Gulf fishermen," said John Bullard, director of NOAA's Office of Sustainable Development and Intergovernmental Affairs. "It is critical that before we put the program into effect, we get reaction from the people who will be using it."

Pursuant to the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act, awards will be limited to 75 percent of fishing gear repair or replacement cost. All applications must be submitted during a 45-day period beginning 15 days after the date of publication of the final notice in the Federal Register, which is estimated to be in late May. Applications will be considered on a first-come/first-serve basis.

Bullard will convene a series of meetings with interested parties throughout the Gulf states beginning in mid April.

Comments regarding this proposed program should be sent to Michael L. Grable, Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

 

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