Relief is on the way for Massachusetts' struggling fishermen.

Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, together with Congressmen John Tierney, Barney Frank and William Delahunt, yesterday announced Massachusetts fishermen would receive $13.395 million in emergency federal assistance as part of an appropriations bill that was sent to the president yesterday.

Bush has already indicated he would sign the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The bill was passed by the Senate on Tuesday and by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night.

"What a welcome Christmas present," local lobsterman and Times' columnist Peter Prybot said yesterday. "I'm especially happy for the medium and large size groundfish draggers because they've really been the ones hurting most. Any little bit of help is a big help."

Prybot said he cannot remember the last time such a large amount of aid has been allocated to the local fishing industry.

"The price of fish has stayed the same or fallen a little while the cost of fuel has skyrocketed," Prybot said. "It's important that they know hope and relief is coming."

It's too early to know just how much money will find its way to Cape Ann, Kerry spokesman John Phillips said yesterday. Phillips estimated it would take three to six months from the time Bush signs the legislation until fishermen start receiving money.

The state's Division of Marine Fisheries will be in charge of the distribution of the money once the U.S. Department of Commerce turns it over to the state.

Vito Calomo, executive director of the Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission, said yesterday his commission will work closely with the Division of Marine Fisheries to disburse the money fairly. "We're not exactly sure how to do it yet, but we will try to help as many people as we can," Calomo said yesterday.

Calomo worked together with state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and state Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester, and Gov. Deval Patrick to bring attention to the need for emergency assistance.

"This disaster money couldn't have come at a better time; I'm very happy to see that Kennedy and Kerry fought the battle for us in Congress," Calomo said.

Significant catch restrictions and reductions in allotted days-at-sea since 1996 have devastated the groundfishing fleets of Gloucester, New Bedford and the Cape and Islands. The number of days-at-sea allowed for a groundfish captain was first cut a decade ago from 88 to 53. Under the Framework 42 regulations instituted in November 2006, fishermen have only a 24-day window.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an arm of the Department of Commerce, earlier this year refused to label the current situation a disaster. The NOAA cited the Magnuson-Stevens Act in defense of its October decision. The law states a fishery has to be collapsing or near collapse to receive a disaster designation. According to the NOAA, local groundfish stocks are rebuilding.

"This funding is a lifeline for thousands of Massachusetts fishermen hurt by this latest barrage of restrictions. At a time when new regulations are severely limiting their catches, and the cost of fueling their boats is skyrocketing, the least we can do is provide our fishermen with immediate emergency assistance," Kerry said in a statement.

Kennedy said, the "federal funds are well-deserved and will bring desperately-needed relief and assist our world-renowned industry."

"It's only fair that fishermen receive some financial compensation from the federal government, because their economic losses were caused by unduly rigid federal policies," Frank said in yesterday's joint statement.

Though the emergency aid is good news to fishermen in the short term, state legislators are committed to securing long-term solutions for the industry as well. They will look to work with the NOAA to revise the rules regulating fishing disaster declarations.

"An appropriate standard should be put in place that our fishermen can get access to disaster assistance when needed," said the spokesman. He added Kerry was extremely disappointed by the way the disaster situation was handled by the Department of Commerce.

The fishermen's aid accounts for just a portion of the more than $38 million in federal assistance tapped for the state's North Shore. Statewide, Massachusetts initiatives stand to receive a total of more than $236 million once the bill becomes law.

Federal assistance in the omnibus bill for the North Shore includes

Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report

$3.1 million for Shrimp Aquaculture for Massachusetts and a number of other states

Commerce Justice Science Appropriations Conference Report

$282,000 for the Essex County Oxycontin program

$235,000 for the berthing area for the NOAA Ship Bigelow

$976,000 for the berthing of the NOAA Ship Bigelow

$2.679 million for the New England Multi-Species Surveys & Development (SMAST) fishery information program

$1.786 million for the Mass Fishery Institute's Scallop Fishery Initiative program

$13.395 million Massachusetts fishing disaster funding