NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Commerce declared a federal groundfish fishery disaster for New York’s fishing communities. The lawmakers requested emergency relief after a recent preliminary report projected significant cuts—up to 70 percent— in catch limits for New England groundfish stocks in 2013. These cuts to multispecies fishery, such as cod and yellowtail flounder, would harm Long Island’s businesses and fishermen, who are already struggling and being squeezed by catch limits and tighter regulations. This move by the Department of Commerce allows Congress to appropriate funding to ease the hardships faced by New York’s fishermen.

In August, Senators Charles Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop wrote in a letter to Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank.

“We write to express strong support for a Northeast Multispecies groundfish fishery disaster declaration to be issued for Northeast fishing communities, including those in New York… It is vitally important that New York is included in any disaster declaration and that our fishing communities are provided with sufficient disaster assistance to stem the adverse economic effects of potentially devastating cuts to already reduced catch limits and years of restrictive management measures.  While recent reports have focused on New England states, we must emphasize the harmful impact these potential reductions will have on New York.” 

The lawmakers pushed to include New York in a federal fishery disaster declaration, noting that New York’s fishing interests in New England stocks are often ignored due to its underrepresentation on the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). Many of New York’s fish stocks are regulated by this council, which will weigh in later this year on catch limits for 2013.