NOAA Fisheries made the announcement today, saying that any groundfish sector vessels that are assigned at-sea monitors will be eligible for full reimbursement.
Some relief may be coming for the fishermen of New Bedford.
In his weekly appearance on WBSM, U.S. Congressman William Keating shared some details from his conversation with Wednesday with NOAA Regional Administrator Michael Pentony, and said he expects fishermen to at least have some answers "in the next two to three weeks...
Officials from NOAA say fishing vessels that transferred to Sector VII from Sector IX in New Bedford may have to wait until mid-summer to begin leasing quotas.
Depending on your point of view, it could be good news for fishermen. NOAA is allowing fishermen to carry over 10% of any unused quotas from the 2012 fishing year into the 2013 fishing year.
Jim Kendall, President of New Bedford Seafood Consulting sees it differently, since lousy weather over the past few months has prevented many fishermen from reaching their allocations...