Guinta Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Granite State Fisheries

Statement

Today, Congressman Frank Guinta introduced the Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act, a bipartisan bill to redirect more than $100 million in existing funds to programs of crucial importance to sustainably managing our fisheries and the communities and fishermen who make a living from the ocean. Joined by Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA), this piece of legislation would provide grants to research, monitor and manage our state's fisheries.

"The bipartisan Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act is a crucial step in strengthening New Hampshire's historical fishing industry during this difficult period in the industry," said Rep. Frank Guinta, who represents the fishing communities of the Seacoast in New Hampshire. "Granite State fishermen deserve the resources necessary to assist with their jobs, cope with government mandates and increase their revenue. This is one of many of my bipartisan solutions to help alleviate the challenges our state's fishermen face."

"I am proud to join Rep. Guinta in re-introducing this important piece of legislation," said Rep. Bill Keating, who represents the fishing communities of Southeastern Massachusetts. "Our bill, as we have supported in previous Congresses, is a simple, common-sense step to ensure that our fishermen receive the full balance of funds available to them under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act grant program. This is a nonpartisan issue that requires bipartisan support, and we all agree that better science leads to better management. This bill will ensure that fishermen are directly involved in promoting the research and development that will impact their livelihoods."

This bipartisan bill ensures key programs critical to managing ocean fish populations and the fishermen and communities which depend on them will receive increased and sustainable funding.

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