Mass. Governor Deval Patrick sent letters to Washington this week, asking federal officials to come to the aid of New England fishermen. 

The Governor is asking the chairs of both the House and Senate Budget Committees to include federal disaster aid for fishermen in their fiscal 2014 budgets. 

The declaration was made last year by the Commerce Secretary, but no money was sent to the industry. 

Patrick has also written Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank, asking her to accept recommedations made by the New England Fisheries Management Council, and adopt a more gradual approach to catch allocations for Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock. 

Patrick says the step will help protect both the short and long term viability of the fishing indsutry.

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