Shaheen Discusses Funds to Help Commercial Fishermen

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) met with commercial fishermen at the Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative in Seabrook on July 7 to discuss the impact of a $32.8 million in federal fishery disaster funds for New England.

Shaheen and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) welcomed the federal government's funding assistance in late May. The funds are part of $75 million in disaster relief resources that were secured earlier this year.

"New Hampshire's historic fishing industry is an integral part of our regional economy and we need to make sure the industry remains viable and emerges strong after the difficulties our fishermen have been facing," Shaheen said in a statement. "The federal fishery disaster relief plan will help provide immediate, short-term relief. However, we need to focus on lasting investments in the industry’s future and make sure regulatory decisions are made with the success and sustainability of the fishing industry in mind."

A third of the funds will go toward development of a federally funded buyout or industry-funded buyback, with the remainder being direct assistance with the money split among New England states.

New Hampshire will receive more than $2 million in funds with more than $900,000 going to direct assistance for New Hampshire fishermen and more than $1.1 million to be used at the state’s discretion, according to Shaheen.