December 08, 2014

Gloucester Times: Mass. lawmakers press feds for next phase of fishing aid

DEC 8, 2014

The second disbursement of $8.3 million in fishing disaster funds has stalled at NOAA headquarters in Maryland, prompting a letter from some members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation seeking the release of the funds.
The letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, dated Dec. 5, asks for Pritzker's help in releasing the funds before the end of the calendar year. NOAA Fisheries falls under the purview of Pritzker and the Commerce Department.
"The ongoing groundfish disaster has had a huge economic impact on fishing families and communities in Massachusetts," said the letter signed by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, as well as Rep. William Keating, D-New Bedford. "In many cases, the financial hardship is now acute."

Read the full article here.