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“The Money Has Never Been Used As Congress Directed” — Joyce On Federal Seafood Dollars, Congressional Intent, and Where The Money Went

Corenna Quirk | David Quirk Episode 104

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0:00 | 28:31

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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Jason Joyce — Part Two

“The Money Has Never Been Used As Congress Directed”

In Part Two, Jason Joyce, Director of Advocacy at NEFSA, continues the conversation in studio, diving deeper into the realities facing Maine’s fishing industry—groundfish collapse, federal overreach, and the increasing barriers for small, independent fishermen. He explains how access to groundfish has been stripped away through consolidation, quotas, and decades of regulatory complexity, leaving coastal communities without viable opportunities despite signs the resource may be returning. 

The discussion expands into major policy battles—from a lobster boat tracking lawsuit now pushing toward the Supreme Court, to strong opposition against ropeless gear driven by real-life safety risks. Joyce shares firsthand accounts from fishermen and meetings with federal regulators, highlighting the disconnect between policy decisions and life on the water. The conversation also uncovers a striking issue with federal seafood funding—hundreds of millions in import tariffs intended to support U.S. fisheries that, according to Joyce, have not been used as Congress directed. 

Additional topics include rising fuel costs, bait supply, seasonal fishing realities, offshore regulations, and the growing complexity of zones and compliance. Joyce also gives a candid look at oyster farming, detailing the labor, time, and economic challenges behind what many assume is a profitable alternative.

📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more.
Produced and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.

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