Establishes a fund to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts lobstermen affected by fishing area closures.

The bill establishes the Lobstering Closure Mitigation Fund to provide financial assistance to lobstermen in Massachusetts impacted by fishing area closures due to endangered marine species protection. Eligible lobstermen, defined as those with active commercial fisherman permits, can receive weekly payments of one dollar per trap from February 1 to July 30 annually. The fund will be administered by the Department of Unemployment Assistance, which will also report annually on fund income to relevant committees.

Establishes a fund to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts lobstermen affected by fishing area closures.

The bill establishes the Lobstering Closure Mitigation Fund to provide financial assistance to lobstermen in Massachusetts impacted by fishing area closures due to endangered marine species protection. Eligible lobstermen, defined as those with active commercial fisherman permits, can receive weekly payments of one dollar per trap from February 1 to July 30 annually. The fund will be administered by the Department of Unemployment Assistance, which will also report annually on fund income to relevant committees.