COLLINS COMMENDS NEFMC FOR IMPROVING AMEND. 13

WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Susan Collins today announced that she has agreed to lift her objections to the implementation of Amendment 13 because the New England Fishery Management Council is acting in good faith to revisit issues that would have been devastating to Maine's 400-year old fishing industry. She is also commending the council for making progress toward improving the fishing regulations to make them fairer to Maine's fisheries. Last week, the Groundfish Committee held a two-day meeting and adopted a number of changes to the proposed plan that would make it fairer to Maine's fishing industry. Senator Collins has encouraged the full Council, which is scheduled to meet next week, to approve the committee's recommendations.

"I believed a pause in this process was necessary because Amendment 13 contained far too many inequities that unfairly discriminate against Maine fishermen. Fortunately, considerable progress has been made over the past few weeks to address these inequities. I am appreciative of the efforts that the Council and its leadership have made in this regard," said Senator Collins.

Senator Collins added, "As a result of this hard work and cooperation, I am prepared to lift my objections to implementation of Amendment 13 and will work with my colleagues in the Senate to examine ways to lift the funding restrictions included in the Omnibus spending bill."

She said that her continuing effort in this regard is contingent on both the Council and conservation community continuing to actively address the concerns that she and Maine's fishing community have raised.

In a recent letter to Senator Collins, David Borden, Chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council, credited Senator Collins and her legislation for providing the council with the "necessary focus for the fishery management process to address these issues on a timely basis." Borden also said the process is "well underway."

There are several issues of interest to Senator Collins and Maine's fishing industry that are under consideration.

First, the number of "B" Days-at-Sea allotted to fishermen has been reconsidered. Under Amendment 13, many fishermen would be entirely shut out of the process and allotted zero Days-at-Sea per year. Last week, the Groundfish Committee recommended a minimum allocation of 10 "B" Days-at-Sea. Senator Collins calls this provision an important signal to those who want to take part in the future of this fishery.

The Committee also recommended that the advisory group identify "B" fisheries for the Gulf of Maine. Senator Collins said that this issue is "crucial" in efforts to ensure that smaller vessels, which do not have the capacity to reach the grounds that are currently open, with an opportunity to utilize their allotted "B" Days-at-Sea. Finally, the committee has begun to examine the problem of steaming time, which has long worked to Maine's detriment.

"I am pleased that my provision had its intended effect on focusing the Council's attention on the legitimate concerns raised by Maine's fishing community. I am confident that the Council will continue to improve Amendment 13 for the benefit of all New England fishermen," said Senator Collins.