NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — October 11, 2014 — The Division of Marine Fisheries said it will cap the amount of disaster relief available to individuals who hold groundfishing permits — essentially cutting in half the amount of money destined for one man.
Boat owner Carlos Rafael threatened to sue the state for reneging on the $617,500 he says he's due — or $32,500, 19 times over.
"I will straighten 'em out," said Rafael, sitting in his South Front street office and phoning his lawyer.
Congress set aside $32.8 million for relief following the declaration of the Northeast groundfish disaster. The first third was destined for the holders of qualifying permits, who would get $32,500 per permit, regardless of how many were held by a single individual or entity.
Friday's announcement changes the rules, capping at 10.9 the number of payments an individual can receive.
Rafael, who with his wife holds 18 qualifying permits, contends he's the only one who will be affected by the new rule. A state spreadsheet with the names of permit holders who have already received payments shows that most recipients are connected with one or two permits. The largest number of permits tied to any one person on the list is six.
Paul Diodati, director of the state Division of Marine Fisheries, said the money saved by capping payments will roll over to a second "bucket" of relief funds, aimed at those in the industry not covered by the first bucket, including potentially deckhands, shoreside businesses and permit holders who didn't meet eligibility requirements.
Read the full story from The New Bedford Standard-Times