In the coastal communities along the West Coast, you're going to see people losing their boats and homes. Groundfish are species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean. For year, fishermen have grappled with a general decline in catches. The law ended overfishing by foreign boats, but overfishing by the U.S. fleet continued, leading to declines in several fish species. To replenish stocks, regional fishery management councils have set catch limits and made specified waters off-limits to fishermen.
Lawmakers representing fishermen insist the aid is vital.
This is not chicken feed. The lobstermen aren't looking for a handout, but this is a case where there's a role for Congress to help out. While the fishermen appreciate the relief, some say they could do more to help themselves. Paul Parker, executive director of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association, said the fishing industry should sink some of its own money into boat buybacks. Others say the best way to reduce the industry's reliance on federal aid is to restrict more fishing areas and increase aid to fishermen.