WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help local fishermen and communities affected by the economic downturn, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will allocate $10 million of its current fiscal year 2009 budget to assist New England's fisheries impacted by regulations and catch reductions. $3 million of this funding will be provided to assist inshore lobster fishermen in Rhode Island, as well as offshore permit holders, in implementing a fishing gear exchange program that will reduce impacts on endangered whales. Ocean State fishermen will also benefit from an additional pot of $4 million that is available to fisherman in the New England region.

NOAA is allocating $10 million to New England fishermen to help develop data reporting and fishery monitoring systems to better document catches and track fishing permit transfers.

"I am pleased to have secured this critical funding to help support Rhode Island fishermen, who face significant challenges and risks as they work hard to earn a living," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations subcommittee which oversees spending on NOAA programs. "Rhode Island's fishing industry is critical to our economy and our communities. The rope exchange program will save our fishermen money and reduce entanglements of endangered whales. The competitive research grants will also help protect the future sustainability of the fishing industry while ensuring Rhode Island's fishermen can make a living."

"With this funding NOAA will provide meaningful help to the New England fishing industry through fishing gear exchange, increased cooperative research, and assistance in setting up the infrastructure for the new management system based on sectors and catch shares," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

A breakdown of the $10 million NOAA Spending Plan for New England Fisheries Assistance follows:

$4.7 million for a fishing gear (groundline) exchange program. $3 million of this funding will go to help Rhode Island inshore lobster fisherman and offshore permit holders in the region. $1.7 million will go to Maine fishermen to convert from floating to sinking groundlines. This upgrade in gear will reduce the likelihood of entanglement for large whales, such as the highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.

$3 million to support a dockside monitoring program throughout New England, and to support data collection to help implement a management structure for the groundfish industry. This federal funding will be distributed through competitive awards to hire and train dockside monitors, and to oversee and organize monitor interactions with fishermen. The monitors will meet vessels before they depart and upon landings to certify the landing weights are accurate, verify landings of a vessel at the time it is weighed by a dealer, and validate dealer reports.

$1 million for collaborative, industry-led research on fishing gear alternatives to reduce bycatch of depleted stocks for winter flounder off southern New England. Cooperative research. The current biomass of southern New England winter flounder is critically low. In order to prevent the bycatch of winter flounder, this funding will allow industry-led researchers to help develop, test, and approve alternative gear types that may reduce bycatch of depleted stocks. These funds would be administered through a contract competitive process.

$1 million to support a permit banking program through which fishing opportunity will be preserved for small and remote communities in Maine. Maine was chosen as the site for the pilot project because The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is currently working on such a program with the state and industry in Maine. This pilot will inform the potential expansion of the permit banking program to other ports. If sufficient funds remain after the establishment of the eastern Maine pilot, priority would be given to establishing a program in Rhode Island.

$290,000 to help cover NOAA's administrative costs and oversight expenses.

$10,000 to fund the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program, which helps undergraduates pursue study in the fields of oceanic and atmospheric science, research, and technology.