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Sen. Bailey urges codification of Chesapeake Bay oyster program and creation of seafood industry relief fund
Summary
Sen. Bailey asked the House Environment and Transportation Committee to codify the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and establish a Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund to provide loans and grants to commercial watermen and seafood-dependent small businesses. Industry representatives said recent outbreaks, storms and spills caused steep harvest declines and urged a favorable report.
Sen. Bailey presented Senate Bill 558 to the House Environment and Transportation Committee, asking lawmakers to codify the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and establish a Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund to provide loans and other financial assistance to commercial watermen and small seafood businesses.
"The purpose of this fund would be to provide financial assistance, including loans, to commercial watermen and small businesses that are associated with the seafood industry," Sen. Bailey said, and respectfully requested a favorable report. He told the committee the bill language was negotiated with the Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Industry witnesses said the program has long supported oyster restoration and that recent events left many watermen in financial distress. Jim Mullen of the Maryland Oystermen's Association said the program "started back in 1996" and "has been a good working relationship" among…
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