[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 146 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H6821-H6822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NEW ENGLAND FISHERMAN PRESERVATION ACT
(Mr. GUINTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, heavy new fines the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration is proposing could destroy New Hampshire's
remaining fishermen who are carrying on a proud New England tradition.
That is why I recently introduced legislation to stop the Federal
agency from shifting its funding responsibility to our struggling
Granite State fishermen.
NOAA mandates that at-sea contractors monitor their daily catch, but
will cease to pay for this government mandate in December, forcing
fishermen to pick up the more than $700 per day tab.
These small family businesses will be on the hook for thousands of
dollars in new fees each month. That is a figure that would simply
eradicate the industry in my home State.
This is not a partisan issue. The New England Fisherman Preservation
Act simply asks the Federal agency to continue paying for a program it
has funded for years rather than forcing hardworking, middle-class
families to pay for it.
[[Page H6822]]
I am asking colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in
support of this bill, so important to hardworking fishermen who put
food on our tables so that they can continue with their task.
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