The embattled national head of fisheries law enforcement, whose administration is the subject of a scathing set of findings by the inspector general, has sent his staff a memo which emphasizes the need to improve "communication and relationship" with the fishing industry.
Dale J. Jones, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement, made only fleeting reference to the IG's many criticisms of his department, writing "I may disagree with and will refute some of the perspectives."
Both the report to the public by U.S. Commerce Department Inspector General Todd Zinser and Jones' internal memo were issued Jan. 21.
Read the entire Gloucester Times Story.
The complete text of Mr. Jones' memo is reproduced here:
THE DIRECTOR’S MINUTE
January 21, 2010
MEMORANDUM FOR: All NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement Employees
FROM: Dale J. Jones, Director of Enforcement
SUBJECT: Release of the Office of Inspector General’s Review
We have recently learned that the Office of the Inspector General has released the report on the review requested last June by the NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco. The report is online and can be viewed on the Commerce Department’s OIG web site. Rather than reiterate the content of that report to you, I would simply recommend that you read the report. http://www.oig.doc.gov/oig/reports/2010/OIG-19887.pdf
Our National Leadership Team and I will be working closely with the NMFS Assistant Administrator’s Office and the NOAA Administration in follow up to the report findings and recommendations. In response to the report, the NOAA Administrator has re-asserted her commitment to NOAA’s goal to rebuild our fisheries while sustaining the jobs and fishing communities that depend on them. She suggests that we can and must do a better job in keeping the fishing industry informed of our enforcement actions and the reasons behind them. To that end and in response to the report she has committed NOAA to convene a national summit on enforcement policies and practices in order to hear from constituents and experts in the field. It will include representatives from the commercial fishing industry, the recreational fishing community, environmental groups, academic institutions, outside experts from law enforcement, as well as significant participation by the OLE and GCEL. The details of the summit have not yet been formulated. Dr. Lubchenco has praised your professionalism and integrity during this review and it is clear that she stands behind you in the work that we do.
I personally concur with the need for us to improve our communications and relationships with the fishing industry. Though outreach is not our mission alone and others within NMFS must also be involved in this effort, we must always work toward improving our efforts and results in this area. Though I may disagree with and will refute some of the perspectives and original allegations in the report, we will work with NOAA to determine how we can improve. To that end, it is my hope and my advice to all that we position ourselves to view this report and the ensuing responses as opportunities for improvement and growth. We remain committed to working constructively with NOAA Leadership and the many other stakeholders involved in this process to improve upon what we do.
As you read through the report and have thoughts, questions or comments, please feel free to forward those to me through your chain of command and I will respond as is appropriate. Once again, I give my compliments and thanks to you all. You are an incredible group of talented and dedicated people.
Thank you!
NOAA Fisheries Service
Office of Law Enforcement