Tag Archives: federal disaster relief funds

Rhode Island Cod fishermen will benefit from federal cash

cashThe state of Rhode Island has received nearly three-quarters of a million dollars to help fishermen affected by the 2013 groundfish disaster. The $705,658 in federal money, which will provide direct assistance to fishermen, was released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The money also will help recruit and train the industry’s work force. “Fishing is vital to our history and our economy, and we need smart policies and investments that will help set the fishery on a more viable, sustainable path for the future,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Jamestown resident and a member of the appropriations subcommittee that led the effort. Read the rest here 08:31

Carlos Rafael , the “Don” of the New England Groundfishery, says he was cheated

Between endless phone calls and Winston cigarettes, Carlos Rafael fumed as he recounted the call early in October: The fisheries disaster relief headed his way would be just half the amount he was originally told was his. For the don of the North Atlantic groundfishing industry, it was the second time in six years he said he was cheated out of federal funds. Read the rest here 09:47

What Disaster Aid Won’t Do for Massachusetts’ Fisheries

resilianceAccording to a deal announced last week, Massachusetts will receive nearly half of the federal disaster relief funds coming to the Northeast groundfish industry. Nobody thinks it will solve the fishery’s problems. Read more here 14:44