BOSTON — September 14, 2012 — The US Commerce Department has declared a disaster in the Northeast groundfishing industry for the 2013 fishing year as fish stocks fail to rebuild, a move that opens the door for Congress to appropriate relief funding for the industry.
In a letter to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca M. Blank said she had determined there was a “commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster.”
“I am deeply concerned about the potential impacts to Northeast fishermen and fishing communities,” she said.
“Despite fishermen’s adherence to catch limits over the past few years, recent data shows that several key fish stocks are not rebuilding,” Blank wrote. “Low levels of these stocks are causing a significant loss of access to fishery resourcess with anticipated revenue declines that will greatly affect the commercial fishery.”
She said if Congress appropriates disaster funds her agency “will work with your state to develop an effective program for an economically robust and sustainable fishery.”
US Senator John F. Kerry said he was working with fellow members of the Massachusetts delegation to get $100 million in disaster assistance.