Massachusetts Fishery Losses

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says direct and indirect revenue losses to the state's fishing industry because of lower fish landings in 2013 will amount to about $103 million. Patrick cited the figures in a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Patrick's letter, written in support of federal disaster aid for the Northeast Groundfish fishery, maintains that the funds will provide ``both immediate relief and targeted investments to ensure our fleet becomes more sustainable in the future.'' The Governor also endorsed the concept of loan assistance programs using a long-term, revolving loan fund and stated the need for shoreside infrastructure support. He says Massachusetts accounts for roughly 90 percent of groundfish landings in the Northeast region.