Impacts for Framework 42 Relief Update
The Application Process for Phase 2 of Framework 42 Impacts has ended:
For the past two months MarineFisheries has accepted and audited applications for Framework 42’s crewmember subsidy program. Over 500 crewmembers have been qualified and will be receiving direct subsidies. MarineFisheries has been working with Shore Support of New Bedford and Gloucester Fisherman’s Wives Association (GFWA) of Gloucester, two local and trusted non-profits. These organizations have been instrumental in helping crewmembers submit applications and in helping qualify applicants. As our attention now turns from auditing to payment these organizations will continue to assist MarineFisheries. Crewmembers from the North Shore & the South Coast of Massachusetts will be receiving their subsidy through GFWA & Shore Support, respectively. These crewmembers will be receiving their subsidies in paper check form from these organizations. All other qualified crewmembers will be receiving their subsidy directly from MarineFisheries in a paper check or a direct deposit.
It is our goal to have the qualified crewmember list finalized by Monday December, 1 2008. This would allow for MarineFisheries & our implementation partners to begin the payout process by Monday December, 8 2008. Unfortunately, we will no longer be considering new applicants as our application and auditing process is complete.
Phase 2 of this program also includes health insurance subsidies for owners, captains and crew. MarineFisheries will be working with Massachusetts Fisherman Partnership, an organization with a history of providing health oriented outreach programs, in developing an application process for the Fishing Partnership Health Plan. Details about this plan are forthcoming. It is the goal of both organizations to begin this process as soon as possible to help provide health insurance coverage for fishing families throughout the state during the lean winter months.
Application Forms for Phase 2:
Application Deadline: All application packages must be postmarked no later than October 24, 2008.
Phase 1 of the Relief for Framework 42 Impacts is complete:
The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) of the Department of Fish and Game has completed a review of the applications submitted for inclusion in the “Massachusetts Relief for Framework 42” subsidy program, and over 500 submittals met the qualifying criteria. The payment amount for ‘A’ Days at Sea (DAS) fishermen was approximately $500 for each qualifying day, and the flat rate for eligible state-waters only groundfish fishermen (without federal permits) was just under $10,000. While the Framework 42 subsidy can not fully compensate fishermen for their full economic loss, MarineFisheries developed a program to ensure that the allocation of limited monies available for direct subsidy assistance would result in disbursement of funds to impacted active fishermen. This includes a limitation on the total amount of direct subsidies available to a single owner and is consistent with the proposal submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service in May of 2008. As such, a cap of 3.5% of available funds was set as the maximum amount a single owner or entities with commonly held ownership may receive under this program.
Tax Liability: MarineFisheries is currently working with the Massachusetts Department Of Revenue (DOR) and federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine appropriate contact information for questions individuals may have on tax reporting requirements. Information will be posted on this website as it becomes available.
Updates
Public Meeting Schedule
- April 1, 2008 (5:30PM) - New Bedford
- April 2, 2008 (5:30PM) - Plymouth
- April 3, 2008 (5:30PM) - Gloucester
For more information, please see Public Meeting Advisory
Background
A 2008 Congressional Appropriations Conference Report provides $13.4-million “to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to alleviate economic impacts associated with Framework 42 regulations on the Massachusetts groundfish fishery.” Senators Kennedy and Kerry led the effort to ensure these funds were made available to Commonwealth fishermen, along with Congressmen John Tierney, Barney Frank and William Delahunt. The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is currently developing a disbursement program, in consultation with members of the fishing industry, Commissioner of the Department of Fish & Game and representatives of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Planning Process
MarineFisheries is evaluating potential uses of these funds to 1) optimize program benefits, and 2) to make spending decisions in a judicious manner. To ensure the framework used to develop this program is transparent and timely, Secretary Bowles instructed MarineFisheries to meet with a state Drafting Group and an Industry Subcommittee to develop a public information document detailing proposed appropriations of funds by activity. This document will be taken out to a series of public meetings by MarineFisheries in early April.
NOAA Fisheries has provided some guidelines for acceptable use of these funds “to ensure this funding leads to improvements in the groundfish fishery that we can collectively measure while also meeting the short-term needs of fishermen.” In general, they have suggested up to 50% of the funding for subsidies, 40-60% for capacity reduction, and 10-15% for future management measures and administration. The Commonwealth will give these recommendations close scrutiny, but will rely heavily on its own public process to develop a proposal.
Drafting Group
In addition to Commissioner Griffin, members of the Drafting Group include MarineFisheries Director Diodati, representatives of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs and an economist from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth .
Advisories
| 6/09/08 |
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| 4/11/08 |
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| 3/21/08 |
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| 3/04/08 |
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For further information contact: marine.fish@state.ma.us
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