A Massachusetts Congressman is warning that legislation being considered in the House of Representatives to give emergency aid to fishermen would come up woefully short for the local industry.

A national fishery disaster declaration in the Northeast last year opened the door for aid for fishermen, who are facing potentially disastrous cuts in catch. Before the last Congress adjourned, the Senate included $150 million in aid for fishermen in the Northeast, Gulf Coast and Alaska.

But Rep. John Tierney said the House Rules Committee says it will forward two disaster-related pieces of legislation, one with no aid for fishermen, the other with $5 million. Tierney called the development 'extremely frustrating' and said he'd work to get fishing communities needed assistance.  Whatever passes the House, the Senate still has input on any disaster aid bill.

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