R.I. seeks federal relief for fishermen

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Gov. Don Carcieri is seeking federal relief for the state’s fishing industry as it struggles under increasingly tough restrictions.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Carcieri asked Gutierrez to declare the Northeast a “fisheries resource disaster,” the first step in winning emergency relief until fish stocks rebound.

Carcieri said while rebuilding fish stocks in an important goal, it must be balanced with social and economic costs. He said 13 years of tightening rules, including reductions in fishing time and closed fishing areas, have made it difficult for fishermen to survive.

The governor said since 1994, the catch of groundfish such as cod, haddock and flounder have declined 66 percent. He said revenues are 33 percent less than 1994 levels, he said.

With the request, Carcieri joins Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Maine Gov. John Baldacci in seeking financial assistance for fishermen. Carcieri sent his request in June, but it was not made public until this week because officials weren’t sure if Congress could find the money to help area fishermen, W. Michael Sullivan, director of the state Department of Environmental Management, told the Providence Journal.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is still working with the Commerce Department to evaluate the New England requests, said NMFS spokeswoman Teri Frady.

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation endorsed Carcieri’s request two weeks ago.