WASHINGTON — As the 2012 fishing year got under way May 1, New England fishermen faced an uncertain future — with reductions in the catch limits for important stocks, such as Gulf of Maine Cod and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, underscoring the industry's economic vulnerability, while reopening questions about how the fishery is managed.
Meanwhile, pleas to the federal government for relief have yet to be answered.
Concerned about the possible economic collapse of his state's fishing industry, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick wrote to Commerce Secretary John Bryson last fall requesting $21 million in economic disaster assistance for the Bay State's multi-species groundfish fishery, due to the "impact caused by the implementation of and transition to catch shares."
Six months later, Bryson has yet to respond to Patrick's letter.
"The Massachusetts disaster request is still under review," said Monica Allen, a spokeswoman for the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She was unable to provide further details on the reason for the delay or to give a time frame in which a decision would be made.
Read the complete story at The SeacoastOnline.com