Governor pledges to press US officials for fisherman relief
Asserts the need for long-term fix
GLOUCESTER -- Wearing a cod pin on his lapel, Governor Deval Patrick pledged yesterday to fishermen here that he would press the federal government to issue an economic disaster declaration for the state's fishing industry.
Such a declaration would be a "patch," Patrick said, that would provide some financial relief for fishermen. The New England Fishery Management Council has estimated that the region's fishing industry will lose $21 million in annual direct revenues because of new regulations that have cut the number of days that many groundfishing boats can put to sea.
In addition to a patch, the governor said, "what we need is a permanent solution" from Washington that will augment financial aid for distressed fishermen with fewer restrictions on fishing days.
In November, a new set of rules called Framework 42 limited fishermen in parts of the Gulf of Maine and sections of the ocean south of New England to 24 days at sea per year, halving the previous limit of 50 days.
Patrick, who toured the refrigerated auction house here, said the state hopes to be able to present its evidence for an economic disaster declaration to the US Department of Commerce next week.
Ed Barrett, a Marshfield fisherman who is president of the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership, said Patrick made no promises at the meeting. However, Barrett said he was encouraged that the governor had attended the private gathering to hear the fishermen's concerns.
"He heard about people who are on the verge of bankruptcy, who are barely surviving," Barrett said of Patrick. "I'm very appreciative of the fact that he came."
Jackie Odell, an official from the Northeast Seafood Coalition, who also attended the meeting, said Patrick seems more committed than previous governors to the needs of Massachusetts fishermen. "I've met with him five times," Odell said. "He's supportive." 