SNOWE AND COLLINS ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION NOAA GRANT TO MAINE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced today that the Maine Department of Marine Resources will receive $2 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"This important funding will provide critical assistance to Maine's dedicated fishermen," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "We are pleased that NOAA has recognized the need for extra funding in this time of demanding and unreliable groundfishing restrictions to secure the livelihoods of those that make their living from the sea."

This grant will provide economic assistance to Maine fishermen and the Portland Fish Exchange affected by Federal closures and fishing restrictions in the Northeast mulitispecies fishery. The State of Maine developed a plan that includes compensation to federal groundsfish permit holders who lost days at sea and rebates to offset recently increased fees at the Portland Fish Exchange.