The Portland Fish Exchange has developed a package of
measures to assist Maine's groundfish fleet overcome barriers to
doing business within the state.
In mid-March, the legislative
Marine Resources Committee voted LD170 "ought not to pass." A
subcommittee was appointed to recommend actions the State could take
in lieu of LD170 to help Maine groundfishermen.
The subcommittee has settled on
recommendation of the following package:
-
Per=pound rebates on
groundfish (and monkfish) landings to replace the foregone
revenue from bycatch lobster.
-
Elimination of Maine's diesel
fuel sales tax for groundfish vessels.
-
Vastly reduced ice charges for
Maine groundfishermen, also part of replacing foregone lobster
revenue.
-
Transportation reimbursement
for vessels trucking their fish to their preferred market in
Maine.
-
A $5m revolving loan fund for
low-interest debt refinancing.
The subcommittee will recommend
this package to the full Marine Resources Committee on Wednesday
March 26. The Committee may accept, reject, or modify the
recommendations - then the stage shifts to the appropriations
process.
Read the Exchange's
assistance package
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