BOSTON – September 14, 2010 – Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, along with Congressman Bill Delahunt and Barney Frank today announced that Massachusetts will receive $3,237,360 from the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support fishing industry, research, and preservation.
“These are big investments at a time when the fishing industry is hurting like hell,” said Sen. Kerry. “These grants are particularly helpful because they support fishing today while investing in the research to help secure the fish stocks and keep the industry viable tomorrow.”
“The fishing industry has been a key link in the Massachusetts economy and a central part of our heritage for hundreds of years,” said Sen. Brown. “The challenges facing fishermen are well known, and it is my hope that these grants will offer additional support to them as we work together to strengthen this important economic sector.”
“UMass Dartmouth plays a key role in working with the seafood industry to improve the local economy. Additionally, the economic challenges facing the industry are partly a result of federal policies, so I think it makes a lot of sense for the federal government to provide this type of funding.” said Congressman Frank.
“In spite of the current economic downturn, the New England fishing industry remains critically important to our regional economy and generates thousands of jobs,” said Rep. Delahunt. “This funding is necessary to allow the industry to grow and make a smooth transition to sector management and an effective monitoring program. I’m pleased that we have the benefit of the local expertise of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to carry out this important work for our region.”
Specific grant figures include:
$817,364 Business loan to Blount Seafood in Fall River, MA
$999,000 Grant to UMass Dartmouth for Scallop Fishery Assessment
This grant will research sea scallop (Placopecten magellancius) abundance, growth and distribution in Northeastern U.S. waters of Georges Banks to the Mid Atlantic region.
$1,420,996 Grant to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for funding sector operations and dockside monitoring in fishing year 2011
Northeast groundfish “sectors” are a form of cooperative whose members share catch allocations, the harvest of which can be managed by the sector for optimal benefit. This new management paradigm should enhance sustainability of fishery resources and reduce ecosystem impacts by improving harvest efficiency and minimizing discards.
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The U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the following:
$817,364 Business loan to Blount Seafood in Fall River, MA
$999,000 Grant to UMass Dartmouth for Scallop Fishery Assessment. This grant will research sea scallop (Placopecten magellancius) abundance, growth and distribution in Northeastern U.S. waters of Georges Banks to the Mid Atlantic region.
$1,420,996 Grant to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for funding sector operations and dockside monitoring in fishing year 2011. Northeast groundfish “sectors” are a form of cooperative whose members share catch allocations, the harvest of which can be managed by the sector for optimal benefit. This new management paradigm should enhance sustainability of fishery resources and reduce ecosystem impacts by improving harvest efficiency and minimizing discards.