BOSTON — The U.S. commerce secretary on Thursday ordered a review of several questionable penalties assessed against fishermen in the last decade after a federal report revealed abusive treatment and high-pressure tactics by the nation's fishery enforcement officers. Gary Locke on Thursday appointed a special master to examine 19 "problematic" cases in the Northeast that were identified Thursday by his office's inspector general, Todd Zinser. The special master, retired judge Charles B. Swartwood III, will also look at 104 complaints that weren't in Zinser's report.
Zinser's report detailed a strategy by the law enforcement office to propose large fines in order to prod fishermen toward settling cases. It also cited "animus" toward fishermen by an key attorney handling their cases.
"The problems identified … are unacceptable, were allowed to persist for too long and will end on my watch," Locke said in a press release.
New Bedford boat owner Carlos Rafael, who said he paid $159,000 for a violation alleging problems with his fishing net, welcomed Locke's move to re-examine some cases.
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