Fishermen in Maine and throughout New England who have suffered losses as a result of declining fish stocks will be eligible to apply for federal disaster relief benefits, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) announced last week.

Fishermen who receive funds would be asked to assist with fishery-related research efforts in future years to help federal officials better understand the economics of commercial fisheries.

``I am pleased that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is making available this disaster funding, which I hope will make a difference in the lives of the hardworking fishermen displaced by the declining fish stocks,'' said Snowe, who chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries, and with Ranking Minority Member Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) spearheaded efforts to secure funding.

Last year, Congress approved $5 million in disaster funding for New England fishermen, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been developing criteria for the funding since that time.

``The collapse of codfish stocks, and the decline in other groundfish stocks, have dealt a blow to fishermen in our region, and this assistance will help them weather these difficult times, as fishing grounds are closed to permit recovery of threatened species,'' Snowe said. ``This funding is long overdue, and I am pleased that NMFS is advancing its plan to assist fishermen.''

Under the federal disaster funding, expected to be published this week in the Federal Register, fishermen and their crews who held fishing permits for 1998 but were prevented from fishing this year would be able to apply for benefits at a rate of $1,500 for each day-at-sea that was not used from February to June, 1999. Economic harm under the NMFS formula would be calculated by comparing the number of days fished from February through June this year with the number of days fished in the same period of time in 1998, before closures took effect.

Compensation under the disaster funding would be provided only after all eligible fishermen have had the opportunity to apply for the funds. To speed funding decisions, NMFS would rely on logbooks and other information already filed with the agency, in order to shorten the lengthy information-gathering process.

Snowe encouraged fishermen and other Mainers with interest in the disaster funding to participate in the 15-day comment period on the proposal, which NMFS was expected to make public in June 10.

``Fishermen have an important opportunity to influence this plan and offer their feedback and suggestions before a final program is implemented,'' Snowe said, ``and it is important that all with concerns or ideas on this plan weigh in so their voices are heard.''