August 27, 2013

The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski, Chairwoman Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Richard C. Shelby, Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Charwoman Mikulski and Ranking Minority Member Shelby:

Congratulations on your Committee’s adoption of the FY 2014 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill. And, thank you for the extraordinary work of your exceptional staff in helping to pull together such important legislation.

We are the members of the Northeast Seafood Coalition. Just a few short years ago we found ourselves at the forefront of the transition of our New England groundfish fishery to catch share management and hard TACs. This transition came with all sorts of rosy promises of resource abundance and economic stability. Maybe even prosperity.

That transition itself was difficult enough to survive, and many of our friends simply didn’t make it. But for those of us left standing the situation today is simply unbelievable.

Today, there is no stability or prosperity in our industry or communities. Instead, every week we watch as another one of the very best among us falls. We are losing our homes, our children’s futures and the fabric that has held our communities together for over four centuries. Why? We are told there are no fish. We are told that just like nature can wreak havoc on man’s world through sudden events like hurricanes, tsunamis and droughts—it can also have devastating effects on the productivity of our marine ecosystem.

As fishermen, we are proud to be among the toughest and most resourceful humans on the planet. We are the definition of survivors. But as difficult as it may be for us to admit, we are helpless in the face of these forces that have changed our world. We cannot force the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank ecosystems to swing back to the level of catch rates or productivity that will sustain our fishery. We know they will recover—and with time and better science so will we, provided something can be done in the meantime to preserve our world for that better day. Unlike churches, schools and homes destroyed by a storm, our fishery will require much more than bricks and mortar.

This is truly a disaster of enormous proportions and severity, and so we were very grateful when Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank affirmed this reality through her official declaration of a fishery

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disaster under federal law. That was nearly 12 months ago and yet as bad as things were then, our catch limits were reduced another 40-90 % this fishing year. Unfortunately, we have yet to see the Commerce Department take the actions needed to mitigate the disaster it declared. On the contrary, it has consistently rejected the repeated efforts of the New England Council and our industry to develop innovative means to mitigate the impacts.

What we have seen is your relentless efforts—and those of many other Senators and Members of the House of Representatives from our region—to provide fishery disaster assistance funding through your appropriations legislation. It is impossible for us to sufficiently express our appreciation for your repeated efforts to help us and our families – first through the Hurricane Sandy bill and now through the FY 2014 appropriations legislation.

But what makes your efforts on our behalf all the more remarkable is that you are not from our region. We are not your constituents. We cannot vote for you. Yet you have stood up for what you believe is right and what needs to be done. That is true leadership. You have insisted that just like those unfortunate Americans and communities that have suffered unthinkable tragedies as a result of storms and other terrible natural disasters, this nation will also do what is necessary to assist its fishermen whose lives have likewise been destroyed by a disaster of a different kind. You and the many Senators from our region and others that worked with you to establish and fund the Fisheries Disaster Mitigation Fund in your FY 2014 appropriations legislation are true heroes. This Fund will provide the crucial bridge for our families, communities and industry to survive while our fisheries recover. We can never thank you enough.

Sincerely,

Bonnie Akerley Mark Carroll F/V Explorer II F/V Harvest Moon Massachusetts Massachusetts

Ellis Batson Daniel Connors F/V Northern Edge F/V Early Times Maine Massachusetts

Carl Bouchard Albert Cottone New Hampshire F/V Sabrina Maria Massachusetts Busty Brancaleone F/V Tina & Tom John Deltorchio Massachusetts F/V Amber and John Massachusetts Corrado Buccheri F/V Horizon Giuseppe Dimaio Massachusetts F/V Lucy, F/V Orion, F/V Capt Joe Massachusetts Page 3 of 12

Antonino Giacalone Joe Orlando F/V Caterina G F/V Padre Pio Massachusetts Massachusetts

Vito Giacalone Giuseppe Palazzolo F/V Jenny G F/V Francesca & Carlo Massachusetts Massachusetts

Dean Holt Joe Randazzo F/V Katie May F/V Razzo New Hampshire Massachusetts

Joseph Jurek Dennis Robillard F/V Mystique Lady Maine Massachusetts Vincenzo Russo Matteo Logrande F/V Miss Trish II F/V Little Sandra Massachusetts Massachusetts Clark Sandler Joe Lucido F/V Seafarmer II F/V Helen S III Massachusetts Massachusetts Accursio Sanfilippo Paul Metivier F/V Captain Dominic F/V Debra Ann II Massachusetts Massachusetts Ignazio Sanfilippo Daniel Murphy F/V Cat Eyes F/V Bantry Bay Massachusetts New Hampshire Joseph Sanfilippo Busty & Stefanie Noto F/V Maria G.S. F/V Grace Marie Massachusetts Massachusetts Gus Sanfilippo Sam Novello Lily Jean Corp. F/V Capt Novello Massachusetts Massachusetts Sal Sanfilippo Dennis Oconnel F/V Janaya & Joseph F/V Lady Elaine Massachusetts Massachusetts

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Frank Sciortino Richard Burgess F/V Christina Eleni F/V Lori B, F/V Ryan Zachary Massachusetts Massachusetts

Russell Sherman Mark Byard F/V Lady Jane F/V SS Melon III Massachusetts Massachusetts

Edward Smith Mark Carnevale F/V Special K, F/V Claudia Marie F/V Carol Ann Massachusetts Massachusetts

Vincenzo Taormina Christian Chadwick F/V Miss Sandy F/V Native Son Massachusetts Massachusetts

Thomas Testaverde Paul Cohan F/V Midnight Sun F/V Sasquatch III Massachusetts Massachusetts

Paul Theriault Matthew Cooney F/V Terminator F/V Miss Meredith Massachusetts Massachusetts

James Vanderpool William Cunningham F/V Alyssa & Andrew Island Queen Fishing Corp. Massachusetts Massachusetts

Paul Vitale Frank Davis F/V Angela And Rose F/V Janel Leigh Massachusetts Massachusetts

David Williams Daniel Dunbar F/V Kathryn W F/V Little Mako Massachusetts Massachusetts

Steven Wojcicki Lance Edwards F/V Kristine Marie F/V Catherine M New Hampshire Massachusetts

William “B.G.” Brown Peter S. Eshenfelder F/V Kathryn Leigh F/V Sharon E, F/V Hannah Story Massachusetts Connecticut

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Peter Fadden Peter Mondello F/V Catherine F F/V Allison Carol Massachusetts Massachusetts

Michael Frontiero John "Spice" Montgomery F/V Dunlin F/V Chandelle Massachusetts Massachusetts

Peter Fyrberg William Muniz F/V Merganser F/V Lily Massachusetts Massachusetts

Douglas Germain Craig Porter F/V Labor in Vain F/V Kenneth J Duncan, F/V Manford L Porter Massachusetts Massachusetts

John Greenleaf Thomas Porter F/V David & Jenna II F/V Susan Kimberly Massachusetts Massachusetts

Ronald Hemeon Philip Powell F/V Alexis Margaret F/V Foxy Lady, F/V Foxy Lady Massachusetts Massachusetts

Brian Higgins Andy Santapaola F/V Toby Ann F/V Gannet Massachusetts Massachusetts

Thomas Hill James Santapaola F/V Karoline Marie F/V Amanda Leigh, F/V Amanda & Andy II, F/V Massachusetts Amanda & Andy III Massachusetts David Jewell F/V Lady J Arthur "Sooky" Sawyer Massachusetts F/V Miss Carla Massachusetts Thomas Lupo F/V Jennie C William Skrobacz Massachusetts F/V Toots Massachusetts Michael Malewicki F/V Janie M Scott Swicker Massachusetts F/V Aaron & Alexa Massachusetts

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Jeffrey Tutein Steve Follett Massachusetts F/V Heather Lynn Rhode Island Steven Arnold F/V Elizabeth & Katherine Donald Fox Rhode Island F/V Determination, F/V Stephanie & Bryan, F/V Excalibur, F/V Rebecca Mary, F/V Lightning Bay Dan Barlow Rhode Island F/V Crackerjac Rhode Island Jim Fox F/V Rayda Cheramie Mike Bauhs Rhode Island F/V Windsong New York Ken Ketcham F/V Linda Marie Glenn Beck Rhode Island F/V Ruthy L New York Jim Kraus F/V Mary Anne Peter Bessette New York F/V Karyn, Inc. Connecticut Jeffrey Kraus F/V Elizabeth J Charles Brayton New York F/V Kelsi & Morgan Rhode Island Eric Lundvall F/V Rayna & Kerstin Robert Brewster New Jersey F/V Abbie & Holly New Jersey Niles Pearsall F/V Black Sheep Chris Brown Rhode Island F/V Proud Mary Rhode Island Ted Platz Ocean Harvest, Inc. Oscar Diaz Rhode Island F/V Mistress Rhode Island Ken Raynor F/V Dorothy M Howard Follett New York F/V Atlantic Queen Rhode Island William Reed F/V Providence New York

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Sid Smith Charles Borden F/V Merit F/V Mandrake New York Massachusetts

Todd Sutton Antonio Borges F/V Sweet Misery F/V Sao Paulo Rhode Island Massachusetts

Rodman Sykes William Borges F/V Virginia Marise F/V Holly Jean Rhode Island Massachusetts

Chuck Weimar Antonio Cancira F/V Rianda S Massachusetts New York Manuel Catulo Bob Westcott Massachusetts F/V Ocean State Pedro Cura Rhode Island F/V Fisherman John Windels Massachusetts F/V Mary Rose Michael Doyle New York F/V Seafarer Tory Bramante Massachusetts F/V America, F/V American Pride Armando Estudante Massachusetts F/V Endurance Michael Walsh Massachusetts F/V Guardian, F/V Atlantic Prince Tim Hauser Massachusetts F/V Shelby Ann Warren Alexander Massachusetts F/V Collin & Warren III, F/V Ocean Queen William McCann Massachusetts F/V Pilgrim, F/V Shamrock Rodney Avila Massachusetts F/V Seven Seas Manuel Puga Massachusetts Massachusetts Willis Blount F/V Ruthie B Mario Ribeiro F/V Lucimar Massachusetts Massachusetts

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Antonio Sao Marcos Felicio Lourenco F/V Sao Marcos II Massachusetts Massachusetts Jack Morris Michael Smith F/V Brittany Eryn F/V Majestic Massachusetts Massachusetts William Norton Manuel Vinagre F/V Galaxy F/V Sea Siren Massachusetts Massachusetts Pedro Pelicas Jonathan Wright F/V Iberia II F/V Donny C Massachusetts Massachusetts Peter Reposa Stanley Adamczewski F/V Alexis Martina F/V Humbak Massachusetts Massachusetts Peter Reposa Carlos Camarao F/V Olivia Catherine F/V Virginia Sands Massachusetts Massachusetts Jeffrey Skaar Raymond Canastra F/V Thor BASE, Inc. Massachusetts Massachusetts Carlos Alberto Antonio Cravo F/V Luso American I F/V United States Massachusetts Massachusetts Antonio Pereira Dan Eilertsen F/V Blue Seas II F/V Justice Massachusetts Massachusetts Joao DosSantos Paul Lemieux F/V Neves F/V Resilient Massachusetts Massachusetts Carlos Rafael Paul Lemieux F/V Apollo, F/V Athena, F/V Bulldog, F/V My F/V Hustler Way, F/V Destiny, F/V Green Acres, F/V Ilha do Massachusetts Corvo, F/V Poseidon, F/V Southern Crusader II, F/V Lady Patricia, F/V Olivia & Rafaela, F/V Hera, F/V Hercules, F/V Cowboy, F/V Drake, F/V

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Hera II, F/V Sasha Lee, F/V Triunfo, F/V Christopher King Resolute, F/V Vila Nova do Corvo I F/V Donna Marie Massachusetts Massachusetts

Brainerd Ames Mark Krzyzewski F/V Brenna Ashley F/V Underwing Massachusetts Massachusetts

Edward Barrett Gordon Lyman F/V Sirius F/V Annie Wilder II Massachusetts Massachusetts

Timothy Barrett Philip Lynch F/V Odessa F/V Mary Elizabeth, F/V Paula Lyn Massachusetts Massachusetts

Tom Bell Frank Mirarchi F/V Michael Brandon F/V Barbara L. Peters Massachusetts Massachusetts

Ronald Borjeson Kevin Norton F/V Angenette F/V Yankee Rose Massachusetts Massachusetts

Philip Brazao Lance Ricci F/V Sarah Ann F/V Silver Rose Massachusetts Massachusetts

Michael Duane Robert Roche F/V Cygnet F/V Sarah C Massachusetts Massachusetts

Jeff Good Kevin Scola F/V Alosa F/V Survival Massachusetts Massachusetts

Ronald Gustafson Daniel Shannon F/V Cheryl Ann F/V Sorry Charlie Massachusetts Massachusetts

Lee Jackson Kevin Shea F/V Betsy Gals II F/V Endeavor Massachusetts Massachusetts

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Paul Unangst Peter Flannigan F/V Destiny F/V Wendy Lee Massachusetts New Hampshire

Stephen Welch Gary Glidden F/V Mystic F/V Last Penny Massachusetts New Hampshire

Eric Anderson James Hayward F/V Scruffy F/V Rolling Stone, F/V Heidi & Elisabeth New Hampshire Maine

Michael Anderson James Jones F/V Rim Rack F/V Wil-Mar New Hampshire New Hampshire

Richard Anderson Peter Lagerstrom F/V Bridget Leigh New Hampshire New Hampshire Kurtis Lang James Bowles F/V Alanna Renee F/V Penny B New Hampshire New Hampshire Steve Lord Al Cummings F/V Christopher K F/V Toro New Hampshire New Hampshire Thomas Lyons Jeremy Davis F/V Marion J F/V Karen Lynn I New Hampshire Maine Randall Morgan Jon Drake F/V Miss Dolores F/V Paniolo Virginia New Hampshire Norman Pike Jayson Driscoll F/V Sandi Lynn, F/V Hope Lynn F/V Sweet Misery New Hampshire New Hampshire Vincent Prien Charles Felch F/V Katie-Rue New Hampshire New Hampshire

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Richard Syphers Mark Bergeron F/V Ashleigh E F/V Kathy & Jackie Massachusetts Massachusetts

Mike Waldron Robert Cabral F/V Wendy Leigh F/V Provider Maine Rhode Island

Jeff White William Callaway F/V Jacquie And Nicole F/V C-Venture Maine North Carolina

Yvonne Dobre Vincent Carillo F/V Jennifer K, F/V Ann Marie F/V Tenacity New Hampshire New York

David Goethel Victor Carpenter F/V Ellen Diane F/V Kate & Sean New Hampshire Rhode Island

Peter Kendall James Craddock New Hampshire F/V Capt Ralph North Carolina Geordie King F/V Ocean Pride III Steve Daniels Maine F/V Bailey Boy North Carolina Craig Mavrikis F/V Marion Mae Henry Daniels New Hampshire F/V Joyce D North Carolina Kenny Young F/V Judy Marie Kevin DeDeus Maine F/V Kelly Marie Massachusetts John Ainsworth F/V Hope & Sydney Troy Dwyer Rhode Island F/V Langley Douglas Virginia Einar “Bunky” Barlow F/V Lena Pearl Dan Farnham Rhode Island F/V Megan-Marie New York

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Glenn Goodwin Malcolm McClintock Titan Fisheries, Inc. F/V Rhonda Denise Rhode Island New York

Dick Grachek Paddy McGlade F/V Anne Kathryn F/V Enterprise, F/V Cody Connecticut Rhode Island

James Haitz Mark Phillips F/V James & Matthew F/V Illusion Rhode Island New York

Lindalee Jordan Clark Reposa F/V Hopefull F/V Mattie and Maren Rhode Island Rhode Island

Patrick Knapp Donald Roebuck F/V Conor And Michael F/V Margaret Holley, F/V Debbie Sue Rhode Island Rhode Island

Hank Lackner Christopher Roebuck F/V Jason & Danielle F/V Karen Elizabeth, F/V Yankee Pride New York Rhode Island

Kevin Maguire Joseph Rose F/V Evening Prayer F/V Susan Rose New York North Carolina

Chuck Mallinson Herb Smith F/V Miste Rose F/V Buzzards Bay, F/V Curlew II, F/V Mischief New York Massachusetts

Sam Martin Julia Westcott F/V Travis & Natalie, F/V Anticipation F/V Prevail New Jersey Rhode Island

Michael Matulaitis Thomas Williams F/V My Two Girls F/V Heritage, F/V Tradition Massachusetts Rhode Island

Frank Mazza F/V Rose Marie New Jersey