Maine commercial fishermen’s groups, community members and supporters have initiated a drive to raise money to assist tsunami affected fishermen get back out on the water. Along with massive loss of life, the wall of water that came ashore on Dec. 26 destroyed thousands of vessels in Thailand, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as other countries.
The North Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA) of Saco established a Tsunami Relief Fund just days after the disaster, and to date has raised $69,508. Craig Pendleton, Director of NAMA, and Niaz Dorry of Gloucester, MA, director of Clean Catch, a group working with world fishing communities to research impacts on the marine environment, are spearheading this effort, with funds going directly to The World Forum of Fisher Peoples and the Sri Lanka Center for Development Facilitation. Wire transfer fees have been waived by the St. Joseph’s Credit Union. The money is going toward both short and long term relief for small-scale fishing communities, to include rebuilding nets, engines, boats, and equipment as well as homes and other more immediate relief needs.
Contacts:
Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance
NAMA Relief Effort
200 Main Street
Saco, ME 04072
(207) 284-5374
Clean Catch
Niaz Dorry, Director
(978) 281 6934
Fax: 978 282 9945