$500K Earmarked For Cape Cod Fisherman. Here's What It'll Go Toward

CAPE COD, MA — When Massachusetts passed its Fiscal Year 2024 budget earlier this year, Cape Cod fishermen took note of a $500,000 earmark for the industry.

On Wednesday, State Rep. Dylan Fernandes presented that $500,000 in funding to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (CCCFA), with a stated goal to support Cape fishermen and sustainable fishing livelihoods on the Cape and Islands.

“Fishing is not just an industry on the Cape and Islands – it is woven into the very culture and fabric of our communities,” said Rep. Fernandes. “These funds are a pathway toward adaptive fishing practices, healthier oceans, and a sustainable industry that can be passed down to future generations of fishing families.”

The $500,000 earmark for CCCFA was part of a $1.2 million package of funds for the Cape and Islands during the FY2024 budget process. Of those funds, $1 were devoted to protecting local oceans and combating climate change.

As for the funds given to local fishermen, they can now be used to modernize fishery resource surveys, expand data collection on fishing vessels, organize educational opportunities for commercial fishing workforce development, advance policies and practices to maintain the Massachusetts fishing fleet and provide support to Cape fishermen.

"We want to thank Rep. Fernandes for securing this pivotal funding, which will help us continue fighting for fish and fishermen across the peninsula," said Fishermen’s Alliance CEO John Pappalardo.

He continued:

"He understands how important the commercial fishing industry is to the economic and environmental health of our coastal communities – and how small- boat fishermen are facing a growing number of challenges. His support will help us meet those challenges as we magnify the voices of local fishermen in federal, state and local fisheries policy decisions and harness their experience on the ocean to power scientific research.

Supporting the original Blue Economy will also pay dividends as the Fishermen’s Alliance continues to defray the high cost of fishing permits, strengthens working waterfronts, provides fishermen training, and works to bring more local seafood into immigrant and food insecure communities on Cape Cod. This funding truly is a tide that lifts all boats and we are so very grateful."

Nearly 2,000 fishermen live and work on Cape Cod, landing over $73.8 million worth of fish each year. The industry supports thousands of additional jobs on-Cape, from fishermen to restaurants, wholesalers and burgeoning blue economy tourism.