RFA Says Party/Charter Boats Also Deserves Federal Financial Aid
September 18, 2012 - On September 13, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca M. Blank sent letters to the governors of the New England states declaring a "Commercial Fishery Failure" for the Northeast Multispecies Groundfish Complex. Species in the complex include cod, haddock, and flounder, important to both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors. Despite cutbacks in catches and other restrictions, some stocks are not rebuilding as fast as originally predicted.

The formal declaration opens the door for federal financial aid to the states' affected fishermen, which could be significant. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is reportedly seeking $100 million in assistance to the region.

The disaster relief funding is being offered by the federal government almost exclusively for New England commercial fishermen, but according to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the recreational sector is just as deeply impacted the Commerce Department's actions through NOAA Fisheries in recent years and just as deserving of any federal assistance made available to fishermen.

"This funding could certainly go a long way towards alleviating the financial pain that will likely result from the deep cuts in catches of groundfish expected in 2013," said RFA New England director Capt. Barry Gibson. "RFA certainly understands the plight of commercial fishermen, but party and charter boat operators who rely on groundfish for much or all of their livelihoods need to be included in the proposed aid package as well."

"These are small coastal businesses that are struggling as it is, and any additional reductions in catch or a shortening of the season will simply drive a lot of operators out of business," Gibson added.

New England's recreational fishing sector has absorbed significant cutbacks in bag limits, increases in size limits, and a shortening of the cod fishing season to just 6-1/2 months over the past few years. The party/charter sector was excluded from federally funded Northeast permit and vessel buy-backs and other aid programs until 2010, when the RFA made a strong case for full-time operators to be included in a $30 million aid package that went to Massachusetts.

"When fishery restrictions affect the recreational for-hire fleet, these folks take a financial hit," said Capt. Patrick Paquette, Director of RFA's Massachusetts Chapter. "A precedent has already been established to include qualified for-hire operators in a federal assistance program. We're not sure yet what the criteria might be this time around, but we want to put Congress, NMFS, and the states on notice that the party/charter sector in New England expects to be included in the disaster aid package."

"These operators have obeyed the rules and fished responsibly, but for reasons beyond their control the stocks haven't responded," Paquettte said of the recreational fishing industry in New England. "Just like their counterparts in the commercial sector, these guys are going to need some financial help in order to weather this storm."

No timetable has been set for implementation of the proposed aid program, but it will likely take place prior to the start of the fishing year in 2013.