Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. hasannounced that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will immediately begin the process of distributing $1.2 million in state funding to qualified, blue crab waterman affected by the past three crabbing seasons.
“My Administration recognizes the need for immediate relief to watermen and has authorized the release of state funds in advance of federal funding that will become available later this summer,” Governor Ehrlich said. “Qualified crab harvesters will begin receiving applications this week from the DNR to apply for a $500 grant if they have reported a crabbing total of 100 or more days during the 2001 and 2002 seasons,” Governor Ehrlich added.
The funding was a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution of 2003 passed by Congress and signed by President Bush earlier this year. Maryland representatives both on the state and federal level were instrumental in ensuring that funding was available was included to help to blue crab fisheries affected by reduced harvests and sales of blue crabs.
A total of $5 million was appropriated for the Blue Crab Fishery, to be divided between Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia according to the amount of catch landed by each state.
The funds must be used only for:
personal assistance with priority given to food, energy needs, housing assistance, transportation fuel, and other urgent needs;
assistance for small businesses including fishermen, fish processors, and related businesses serving the fishing industry;
domestic product marketing and seafood promotion; and
state seafood testing programs.
The cool, wet conditions through March and April have contributed to significantly lower than normal crab harvests.
DNR Secretary C. Ronald Franks said the Department has identified Chesapeake Bay restoration programs that blue crab watermen can be paid to implement, including Bay grass plantings and collection of blue crab statistics, both of which will strengthen the overall health and management of the species. In addition, DNR will also fund other work to support the crabbing industry, including product and processing improvement.
Posted: 6-25-2003
