PUBLIC MEETINGS ON GROUNDFISH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The Hull Truth

loligo · 03-21-2008, 12:18 PM

March 21, 2008MarineFisheries AdvisoryPUBLICMEETINGS ON GROUNDFISH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM April 1st, 2nd& 3rd The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries)will hold three public meetings the week of April 1st to gather comment on apublic information document detailing proposed use of groundfish assistancefunds. The 2008 Congressional Appropriations Conference Report set aside $13,395,000to the Division of Marine Fisheries to alleviate economic impacts associatedwith Framework 42 regulations on the Massachusetts groundfish fishery.The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries)is working with a state Drafting Group and an Industry Subcommittee to developa final grant proposal for these funds. Preliminary recommendations for fundingwill be presented during the public meetings. A final grant proposal will besubmitted to NOAA Fisheries by April 15th. Public meetings areschedule for:Tuesday, April 1, 2008 (5:30PM)Whaler Banquet and Conference Center 500 Hathaway Road, New BedfordWednesday, April 2, 2008 (5:30PM)Radisson Hotel – Plymouth Harbor180 Water St., PlymouthThursday, April 3, 2008 (5:30PM)Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station 30 Emerson Ave., GloucesterFor further informationplease visit the “Groundfish Assistance Program” spotlight on ourwebsite at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/spotl...tance.htm#spot

loligo · 03-21-2008, 12:21 PM

Gee did I call that one or what?

I told you they were busy trying to figure out what to do with the $$

Unbelievable....they get to decide what is going to happen with federal funds.

I say they take the $ and divide it equally among all the licensed fishermen in the state. All of them, because we are all effected by the groundfish situation.

loligo · 03-21-2008, 12:25 PM

In the meantime....they seem to have forgotten about the rest of us?

CMP · 03-21-2008, 01:08 PM

Sounds like another targeted buyout to me...

CMP

Sashamy · 03-21-2008, 02:03 PM

John,
Did you think that they could give it out? No offense but ofcourse they would have to discuss where it goes...that would be the nature of politics...right?

loligo · 03-21-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Sashamy - 3/21/2008 1:03 PMJohn,Did you think that they could give it out? No offense but ofcourse they would have to discuss where it goes...that would be the nature of politics...right?

Why would I be offended?

I just think that it's only logical if they are going to give out money to fishermen, that they just give it out equally....

Sure, have a public hearing/s but then just give everyone an equal share.

I realize that GF guys are most directly hurt by the stupid rules, but what about how all those guys who don't have enough DAS are spilling over into other fisheries? Especially fisheries that have quotas? There are no hard TAC's for GF.....

I'm gonna take a guess and say that less than 1/2 that 13 mill is going to ever see any fishermen's hands, let alone all the fishermens hands.[img]../images/emoticons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

fishhawk210cc · 03-21-2008, 03:56 PM

My vote is buy the licenses out from willing sellers at a fixed price, and then limit the remaining boats to only ONE license. Multiple license holders would forfeit all but one license. If a the target quota for license reduction did not happen everyone is put into a lottery - winners keep their license, losers forfeit it and get the 80% of the price as the willing sellers.

Small owner-operator boats have a chance to make a living on one license