U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, praised Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for her efforts to modify the interim regulations proposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that will govern the groundfish industry for fishing year 2009.
"This regulation is not perfect, and I acknowledge that it still contains troubling provisions, particularly for fishermen who work in southern New England waters. Still, the final rule is a clear statement that NMFS’s initial proposal was patently unworkable, unfair, and ill-considered. Today’s decision provides a glimmer of hope for this beleaguered industry."
"I particularly want to acknowledge the dedication of Dr. Jane Lubchenco to this issue. From our first meeting, through the confirmation process, and now into her first weeks as NOAA Administrator, Dr. Lubchenco has consistently asserted that healing the rift between managers and fishermen in New England is among her highest priorities for the agency," added Senator Snowe. "As I personally told Dr. Lubchenco this morning, by overseeing these vital revisions, she has shown that she intends to honor those commitments with decisive action to heal the rifts between the industry and regulators."
Read Senator Snow’s release in its entirety