SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1.1 MILLION TO ASSIST NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHERMEN

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that her request to assist New Hampshire fishermen has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Shaheen secured $1,165,000 in assistance, which will allow the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department to purchase additional permits for New Hampshire fishermen.  These permits will increase the amount of groundfish that New Hampshire fishermen are allowed to catch and sell.  These funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2011 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill, which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. 

"New Hampshire's fishermen have long been important contributors to the Seacoast economy and way of life," said Shaheen.  "This support will help New Hampshire's small boat fleet compete with larger boats in other states, and help ensure that locally caught seafood will be available to the restaurants and small businesses that depend on it."  

"The groundfish fleet of New Hampshire appreciates the efforts, sensitivity, and understanding of Sen. Shaheen on the difficult federal fishery management issues that the industry faces," said Erik Anderson, President of the New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen's Association.  "If these funding efforts are successful it will surely provide much-needed assistance to the industry." 

Low catch limits, which are a part of new regulations designed to rebuild groundfish stocks in New England, have put New Hampshire's small boat fleet at risk.  Shaheen has consistently advocated on behalf of New Hampshire fishermen, including calling on Commerce Secretary Gary Locke earlier this year to take emergency action to increase the amount of some stocks that New Hampshire fishermen can catch.  The new support will allow NH Fish & Game to enhance a permit bank for New Hampshire groundfish, which was created by funding that Shaheen secured last year.