SENATE APPROVES COLLINS PLAN ADRESSING FISHING REGULATIONS

WASHINGTON, DC -- The US Senate has approved Senator Collins' proposal to lift the funding restrictions on fishing regulations known as Amendment 13. Last week, Senator Collins announced that progress has been made by the New England Fisheries Management Council to address provisions of Amendment 13 that would have been devastating to Maine's fishing industry. As a result, Senator Collins said that she would work to lift funding restrictions contingent upon the council and its leadership continuing to work in good faith to resolve the serious concerns of Maine's fishing industry.

Following Senate approval of the provision, Senator Collins said, "The Chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council has assured me that the council will work to remedy the inequities in Amendment 13 that particularly hurt Maine''s fishermen. The council is making progress toward this end. As a result, I am working to lift the funding restrictions so that an improved version of Amendment 13 can proceed. As long as progress continues, I will continue my efforts to repeal the funding restriction."

Senator Collins added, "I am pleased that my Senate colleagues have agreed to my language to repeal the restriction, but much work remains to be done, both by the fishing regulators and by Congress, before the final chapter is written."

Senator Collins' provision was included as part of pension reform legislation. Congressional negotiators must now reach a compromise between House and Senate versions of the legislation.