SHAHEEN DIRECTS FEDERAL AGENCY TO WORK WITH NH FISHERMEN TO ALLEVIATE BURDENSOME FEES

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The Senate Appropriations Committee has adopted several provisions offered by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to support fishermen in New Hampshire. The state’s fishermen, many of whom are barely surviving due to drastically lowered catch limits and other constraints on the industry, may soon be faced with additional expensive fees to cover the cost of at-sea observers. Senator Shaheen’s additions to the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with New Hampshire’s fishermen to resolve this problem and to implement new technology that would be more efficient and cost-effective.

“New England’s fishing industry is in crisis, with many of New Hampshire’s remaining fishermen fighting for survival,” said Shaheen. “The last thing they need is another costly fee that makes it even harder to balance the books. These provisions make it clear to NOAA that these fees will be a tremendous burden on our fishermen and directs the agency to pursue technology alternatives to on-board personnel.”    

This afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill with the Shaheen provisions to the full Senate for consideration. Senator Shaheen also led a bipartisan letter to NOAA in April, calling on the agency to adequately cover at-sea monitoring costs for New England fishermen.