New England Federal Fisheries Aid May Leave Out Buybacks and Buyouts
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Gloucester Daily News] By Sean Horgan - March 18, 2015 -
Even as Massachusetts pushes to get the second phase of federal disaster funding to eligible Bay State beneficiaries, the fate of the federal buyout or industry buyback plan initially included in the third and final phase of funding could be in jeopardy.
Participants in a Friday meeting among NOAA Fisheries, New England state fishery directors and fishing industry stakeholders confirmed Tuesday that the remaining $10 million slotted for either a federally funded vessel buyout or an industry-funded permit buyback now could be shifted to provide other forms of assistance — including additional financial assistance to active fishermen holding federal permits who received direct assistance in the first phase of funding.
“No decisions have been made yet,” NOAA Regional Administrator John K. Bullard said Tuesday.
To Read Full Story Login Below.