Congresswoman Shea-Porter Announces NOAA Decision to Fully Fund At-Sea Monitoring for Northeast Fishermen

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Shea-Porter announced that NOAA intends to fully fund the cost of at-sea monitors for Northeast fishermen, barring any unforeseen budgetary consequences.  The funding will come out of NOAA’s existing 2013 budget, provided assumptions on reduced fishing activity are met.

NOAA’s at-sea monitors are enforcement personnel that travel with fishermen on multi-species fisheries trips.  Due to budget constraints, they had considered having fishermen pay for the cost of these monitors.  This would have been a huge burden for New Hampshire fishermen, who are already facing difficult cuts to their 2013 quotas.

“I am thankful that NOAA has made this decision to prevent burdening New Hampshire fishermen with the responsibility of paying for NOAA at-sea monitors during this difficult time.” said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter.  

The New Hampshire fishing fleet is comprised solely of small inshore boats, and relies almost exclusively on Gulf of Maine (GOM) Cod and Haddock.  At last month’s New England Fisheries Management Council Meeting, a 77% reduction to GOM Cod and the 72% reduction to GOM Haddock.  As a result of these conservation measures, studies have shown that New Hampshire fisherman could lose 91% of their income.

Shea-Porter Announces More Than $5 Million for New Environmental Program at UNH

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced $5,226,768 to establish a program in partnership with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System that will lead research, as well as develop and apply science-based tools to detect, prevent, and reverse the impacts of coastal pollution and climate change.  This program will be housed at the University of New Hampshire, and the funds are provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

“Coastal pollution and climate change are serious problems that must be addressed,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  “This funding will create a new program to help protect our beautiful coast.”  

Shea-Porter Announces Nearly $140,000 for Coastal Response Research Center at UNH

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that the Coastal Response Research Center at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) will receive a $139,404 grant to assess the risks associated with the surface and deepwater use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.  These funds are provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.   

“The Coastal Response Research Center has been actively involved in monitoring BP’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and I commend them on their tireless efforts,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  “These funds will enable the Center to continue its research to evaluate the environmental impact of this devastating spill.”

The Coastal Response Research Center is a partnership between NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration and UNH.  The goal of the Research Center is to “reduce the consequences of spills and other hazards that threaten coastal environments and communities by conducting research, developing new response and restoration methods, and transferring technology to practitioners.” 

Shea-Porter Announces Nearly $200,000 for Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve at UNH

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve at the University of New Hampshire will receive $198,933.  This grant will go towards the System-Wide Monitoring Program to fund sensors throughout Great Bay that collect critical water quality data.  Funds will also go towards habitat-mapping and bio-mapping, which are critical for making science based connections between pollution and habitat degradation.  This grant is provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Shea-Porter Announces $165,000 for Coastal Response Research Center at UNH

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that the Coastal Response Research Center at the University of New Hampshire will receive a $165,000 grant.  These funds will be used to map how oil spills move and to perform research and lead workshops on ocean thermal energy conversion.  This grant is through the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce.