April 1, 2020 — With so many restaurants closed and much of life disrupted by the new coronavirus, fishermen in New England are trying to figure out how they’ll pay the bills this year.
Leaders in Maine say that they’ve found some specific ways to help at the local level but think more federal aid may be needed to help those in the seafood industry minimize economic damage.
Last week, Maine Gov. Janet Mills sent a letter to President Donald Trump explaining how dire the situation is.
She told the White House that “a $50 million loss in fishery value” in lobstering by June was a real risk at present.
Mills has provided pathways for Maine small businesses to apply for low-interest loans that could help offset cause during the virus outbreak.