A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO MASSACHUSETTS
Fishing
Helping Massachusetts Fishermen
In 2006, Senator Kennedy successfully included $5 million in the budget to assist fishermen in New England who were prevented from catching shellfish by a massive red tide outbreak. And in 2008, he successfully advocated for additional assistance---$2 million for Massachusetts shell-fishermen---in response to another red tide outbreak that summer.
In 2008, Senator Kennedy secured $13.4 million to provide essential relief to Massachusetts fishermen struggling under strict reductions to the number of days-at-sea they may catch cod and other groundfish.
In 1976, Senator Kennedy sponsored legislation to create a 200-mile fishing zone of the U.S. coast. The extension of the fishing zone helped with the protection and conservation of fish stocks off United States shores by providing for management authority to regulate the fish take out to the 200 mile limit. The bill helped to revitalize the Massachusetts fishing industry and replenish dwindling fish stocks.
In 1984, Senator Kennedy introduced the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act to promote the restoration of this important marine resource. The bill contained a two-pronged effort to revive the striped bass population. First, it placed an immediate prohibition on interstate commerce in striped bass less than 24 inches in length. Second, it mandated the selective imposition of state-wide moratoria on striped bass fishing against those Atlantic coastal states which had failed to comply with the regional management guidelines.
In 1992, Senator Kennedy helped pass legislation that established a New England Fisheries Reinvestment Program to help relieve pressure on groundfish stocks and encourage development of underutilized species, processing of fish byproducts, and advanced aquaculture and hatchery technologies.
Innovative Scallop and Groundfish Fisheries Sustainability Research – Over the past three years, Senator Kennedy has championed innovative groundfish and scallop research at the School for Marine Science and Technology and the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute by securing more than $20 million in funding through the Department of Commerce. The research is designed to develop new technologies to protect our fishing grounds and promote the long-term sustainability of this vital Massachusetts industry.
Fishing Partnership Health Plan – Senator Kennedy worked with the State of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Fisherman’s Partnership, Caritas Christi, and Tufts Health Plan to create the Fishing Partnership Health Plan and secure federal funding support for it. Prior to the creation of the Fishing Partnership Health Plan, more than 43 percent of fishermen in Massachusetts didn’t have health insurance and today more than 1,800 fishermen rely on this groundbreaking health care partnership.
Cooperative Fisheries Research – In the past five years, Senator Kennedy helped secure more than $10 million in cooperative research grants to encourage commercial fishermen to join federally funded marine scientists in conducting research and fisheries surveys.
Red Tide -- Senator Kennedy urged FEMA to reconsider their earlier rejection of red tide relief. In April of 2006, $20 million was allocated for New England fisherman affected by the disaster. In June of 2006, Kennedy succeeded in securing an additional $5 million for red tide relief in an emergency spending bill.
