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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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| HONOLULU— The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) through its new Fisheries Disaster Relief Program (FDRP), this month is conducting statewide workshops on a new program that is offering economic assistance to fishermen and fishing communities affected by federal closures or federally-imposed fishing restrictions. “In Hawaii, fisheries that have been affected include Hawai‘i-based pelagic fisheries, bottomfish fisheries, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands lobster fisheries, and precious coral fisheries managed by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. "Congress approved the Hawai‘i Fisheries Disaster Appropriation that provided a $5-million funding grant to the State of Hawaii. We want to work with fishers that may have been impacted by the federal regulations," Young said. From the $5 million grant DLNR received from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a sum of $1.6 million was set aside for direct assistance. DLNR is now inviting individuals or organizations in Hawaii to submit project proposal applications for federal FDRP funding.
The second option would involve affected fishers in a variety of cooperative research and development projects with the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR). Another major objective of the FDRP is to improve the productivity and management of fisheries affected by changes in federal fisheries management regulations, through involvement of affected fishers in cooperative research and development projects. DLNR has contracted with the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) at the University of Hawai‘i to administer this part of the Fisheries Disaster Relief Program. $3 million in Fisheries Grant Program funds were provided for in this program. Statewide workshops are being held this month to explain the program, answer questions, and to assist interested applicants to complete their application. Following is the schedule for the neighbor islands: KAUAI –6-8pm, Friday, March 17 at the Kauai Humane Society, 3-825 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue. KONA – 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 at the Kealakehe High School Library, 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street. O‘ahu and Hilo meeting dates and locations will be announced later.
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