NOAA releases $700K to aid R.I. fishermen

PROVIDENCE – A new wave of federal funding has been released from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide direct assistance to Rhode Island fishermen affected by the 2013 groundfish disaster.

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and the state Department of Environmental Management made the announcement earlier this month regarding the $705,658 allocation, which also will support a recruitment and training program to help increase the commercial fishing industry’s workforce.

This third installment of federal funding related to the groundfish disaster brings the Ocean State’s total share to $2.65 million, according to a news release. Groundfish include cod, flounder and whiting.

The funds are part of a $75 million appropriation package included in the fiscal 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act to respond to six declared fishery disasters nationwide. •

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