Financial Services Chairman to organize other Members of Congress to join brief. Lawsuit named Commerce Department and NOAA as plaintiffs.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) today announced that he will file an amicus curiae brief in support of the pending lawsuit by the cities of New Bedford and Gloucester regarding the catch share program introduced in New England on May 1st. Frank also said that he plans to organize other Members of Congress to join the brief.
Last week, 13 members of Congress met with Commerce Secretary Locke to discuss the regulations in question. Emerging from the meeting, lawmakers described Obama Administration policy in terms ranging from "strong disagreement" to "patently unacceptable".
Congressman Frank is the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. After the meeting with Secretary Locke, he told Saving Seafood "I have personally made it very clear to high ranking members of the administration including Secretary Locke that my relationship with the administration will be affected by whether or not they respond to this absolutely urgent need for an increase."
In a press release today, Congressman Frank stated "The fact that the Obama administration has so far refused our request to increase allocations for this fishing season makes the catch share program completely unworkable. Catch shares is a controversial and radical change, and to institute this new system while also drastically reducing catch allocations guarantees that it would be devastating to the fishing industry. For this reason, I will support the cities' lawsuit."
According to the release, Chairman Frank spoke with New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang today to discuss the lawsuit and stated that they will continue to work closely on this issue.
BACKGROUND:
Lawsuit:
New Bedford Mayor calls NOAA leadership "disingenuous and fraudulent", joins lawsuit against NOAA
WJAR-NBC VIDEO: New Bedford joins lawsuit against new regulations
Largest New England Ports Revolt Against New Federal Regulations
Gloucester Joins Lawsuit Against Federal Fishing Regulations
Two Montauk, NY Fish Captains Join Lawsuit
Rhode Island fishermen join suit against feds
New Regulations:
Commerce Secretary Meeting:
Commerce Secretary meets with Northeast Lawmakers but Commits to Little
AUDIO: Congressman Barney Frank Comments on Meeting with Commerce Secretary Locke
Senator Olympia Snowe Demands Secretarial Action to Preserve the Nation's First Fishery
NEW YORK: Congressman Tim Bishop joins group of lawmakers against new catch limits
NH's senators seek relief for fishermen
Congressman Tierney's Statement on Catch Shares