AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, presented LD 1898, An Act to Address the Economic Impact of Federal Clotures on Maines Fixed Gear Fishing Industry, before the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee on Tuesday.
The bill establishes the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Impact Fund and seeks to provide compensation for the immediate financial losses experienced by the recent federal regulatory changes affecting approximately 1,000 square miles of federal waters off the coast of Maine. The grant will be administered by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and will provide funds for the purchase of required replacement gear.
Federal fisheries officials administered these restrictions in an effort to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, however, the last known entanglement in Maine waters was in 2004.
"The long-term sustainability of Maines fixed gear fishing industry requires immediate action to mitigate the fiscal losses experienced by those who relied on offshore fishing as part of their livelihood," said Stover. "We can hold out hope for additional federal legislation, but as state lawmakers, we have the ability to offer immediate, strategic financial support to this industry, recognizing it as the strong driver of Maine's economy that it is."
The bill received bipartisan support, as well as support from the Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher and Patrice McCarron from the Maine Lobstermen's Association.
The bill will have a work session in the coming weeks.
Stover represents Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, South Bristol (part), Southport and Westport Island and is serving her second term in the Maine House. She serves on the Health and Human Services Committee and the Government Oversight Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Stover] c. 812-1111