GLOUCESTER, MA (April 12, 2008) – With pointed criticisms of the federal approach to regulating the Massachusetts fishing industry, the state Division of Marine Fisheries yesterday stood by its intention to give most of an emergency $13.4 million appropriation directly to Bay State fishermen.
The thrust of the proposal published on the division's Web site late yesterday morning was no surprise and puts the state agency — along with the state's congressional delegation — on a collision course with the federal fishing regulators in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The division said it expected to make final changes Monday and have the spending proposal in NOAA's offices by the end of work Tuesday. NOAA declined substantive comment until the document was complete.
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