New England Fisheries Allocated $16 Million

NOAA announced the interim rules to reduce overfishing and rebuild Northeast Groundfish stocks.

We worked hard to find ways to provide quick and meaningful help to the fishing industry through increased cooperative research and assistance in setting up the infrastructure for the new management system based on sectors and catch shares, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco said. NOAA is committed to working with fishing communities to find long-term solutions that create sustainable and profitable fisheries.

Of the $16 million, $6 million is allotted for cooperative research, enhancing existing research projects in which fishermen and scientists work together to improve surveys of fish stocks, as well as develop and test fishing gear that targets healthy stocks.

Ten million will be used to develop data reporting and fishery monitoring systems to better monitor fishing efforts, document catches, and track fishing permit transfers all measures that will allow near real-time and transparent management of the fishery.

The resources announced today will help the region transition to a better future, a future characterized by healthy fisheries and healthy oceans, Northeast Regional Administrator for NOAAs Fisheries Service Patricia Kurkul said.

In addition, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), another agency within the Commerce Department, administers other grant and assistance programs that are available to the communities and workers impacted by the economic downturn. NOAA will work with EDA to disseminate information about these programs to the impacted communities. EDA provides planning, technical assistance and implementation grants to distressed communities.