Political Quotes

“I rise today to discuss a provision that was added to the omnibus appropriations bill at my request. The provision is designed to halt temporarily the implementation of amendment 13 to the Northeast groundfish fishery management plan. With this 5-month delay, which will be in effect for the remainder of the fiscal year, a more equitable form of amendment 13 can be developed. Without this delay, amendment 13 would devastate the fishing industry of my home State. Amendment 13 would deny at least a quarter of Maine's fishermen their traditional access to fish stocks, and would jeopardize the ability of many related small businesses to survive financially. Amendment 13 would impose a series of regulatory changes to New England's groundfish management system. These new regulations would reduce the number of fishing days allocated to most Maine fishermen. The average Maine fishing vessel that received any fishing days would be allocated roughly 52 fishing days each year that they could use off Maine's shores. These, of course, are the most fortunate of Maine's fishermen, as many would receive smaller allocations of fishing days under amendment 13. Imagine trying to make ends meet practicing your profession only 1 day per week.”