NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — September 14, 2012 — The U.S. Department of Commerce on Thursday declared a national fishery disaster in the New England groundfishery, a major step toward obtaining economic assistance for the region's struggling fishermen.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said he has secured a commitment from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to include a $100 million aid package for fishermen in emergency assistance legislation.
"Our fishermen are the farmers of the sea and today our fishermen are facing exactly what farmers in the Midwest are facing — a drought. Instead of a lack of rain, our fishermen are facing a lack of fish," Kerry said in a statement.
With key stocks in decline, cuts of up to 70 percent are projected next year for some groundfish species such as cod and yellowtail flounder.
Any relief funds must be appropriated by Congress and will be added to a farm disaster bill following the November election, according to John Phillips, legislative director for Kerry.
The disaster declaration was applauded by every member of New England's congressional delegation, as well as Gov. Deval Patrick's office, in a flurry of press releases Thursday.
On the New Bedford waterfront, the reaction was more cautious. "I appreciate the efforts of our congressional delegation," said Richie Canastra, co-owner of the BASE seafood display auction. "But I also want to see how the money gets allocated."
When the catch-share system was introduced to the fishery in 2010, $20 million was provided to help fund that transition, he said. "The majority was eaten up by the bureaucratic system and very little trickled down to fishermen."
The larger problem is that the industry has little confidence in the science the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses to measure fish stocks, meaning catch limits are set too low for many fishermen to stay in business, Canastra said. "There's no point giving low-interest loans to guys who can't pay them back," he said.
The dragger Mary K, was unloading flounder at Bergie's Seafood on Thursday morning when the news broke. Alcindo Franco, 61, the mate aboard the boat captained by his son Henreque, said fishermen are struggling and will welcome any type of assistance. The Mary K did not get enough fish under the catch share system to remain profitable and had to buy more shares from other fishermen before going out, said Franco, who has been fishing since he was 14, including a spell as a doryman on the Grand Banks.
"This year, we paid $100,000 to buy quota," he said. "The owner paid $50,000 and the five guys in the crew paid $10,000 each to go fishing. That's right out of my pocket." Rising fuel prices and the costs of ice, food, gear and supplies mean that expenses for a seven-day trip now amount to $24,000, he said. "And the fishing is not so good now because the water is too warm," he said.
Read the full story in the New Bedford Standard Times