Delmarva Fisheries Association filed letter director Governor Wes Moore and state of Maryland
MARYLAND. – In a letter directed to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, filed by the Delmarva Fisheries Association, Chairman Robert Newberry takes a stand for watermen in the state who have been struggling to make ends meet.
He says this is due to increased regulations that have impacted the state. Newberry explains why this is not the right move. “The state seal on the left is a plowman and on the right a farmer, and that’s why Maryland was founded, for the bounty of the bay and the bounty for the land.” The letter was issued to the state of Maryland, and Governor Wes Moore said the following:
“The Eastern Shore Delegation is contacting you to request your attention and support in requesting Disaster Relief Funding for Maryland’s commercial oyster fishery. As you may be aware, the market for Maryland oysters has been devastated. Most watermen have been limited to one or two days of fishing the entire oyster season this year, which includes the historically strongest market months for our fishery. We have no doubt that Marytand can demonstrate there has been a loss of income that surpasses any requirement for Disaster Relief funding. This is an urgent request, as most in our public fisheries are facing an economic crisis as the Maryland oyster market continues to stay closed for our watermen. lf we may be of assistance in preparing this request, please do not hesitate to contact us.”
Robert Newberry, the chairman of the DFA, says he has been in contact with U.S. Congressman Andy Harris.
“Congressman Harris has contacted several government agencies asking for relief under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for these oysters, and it looks like that’s going to move forward.”
The increased regulations on catch-and-release seasons, and other problems, have led to many watermen losing upwards of 60% of business. The busiest season is during August. DNR has made it clear that during the month, watermen cannot fish commercially or recreationally.
Delegate Tom Hutchinson is supportive of the letter. “We are working on that to make sure we are addressing the needs of the watermen and the conundrum they are in due to the marketing and the weather, a lot at stake there.”
Newberry says he feels like the state doesn’t support the fisheries. “The governor said he would never leave us behind, we are so far behind, I can’t even see the horse from the cart, its unbelievable.”
