Sen. Schumer has joined Senators Kerry and Brown and Congressmen Frank, Tierney and Delahunt in urging Sec'y Locke to open a 45-day window for individuals who did not submit their cases for review by the Inspector General due to fear of reprisal. The Senator noted that fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in New York. He noted that the alleged enforcement abuses have led to "a severely fractured relationship between the fishing industry and federal regulators".
Last month, in the wake of a highly critical report by the Commerce Department Inspector General, NOAA announced that they had reassigned Dale Jones, the former longtime chief of law enforcement for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Charles Juliand, the former longtime senior attorney in the Gloucester Office of General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation.
The text of Senator Schumer's letter follows:
Dear Secretary Locke,
Thank you for your recent commitments to improving stock science and exercising your authority to ease overly burdensome catch restrictions on New York and America's fishermen. Fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in my state and our fishermen are weathering one of the most challenging economic crises in generations.
I have recently spoken with you and Dr. Lubchenco about alleged enforcement abuses at NOAA that have led to a severely fractured relationship between the fishing industry and federal regulators. At this time, it is of the utmost importance that Department of Commerce and NOAA work to restore the faith and trust of our nation's fishermen.
That is why today I am joining my colleagues from Massachusetts in urging you to open a 45-day window for individuals who did not submit their cases for review by the Inspector General due to fear of reprisal. I have been approached by a number of New York fishermen who would like their cases to be reviewed by the newly appointed Special Magistrate.
Again, I believe it is imperative that federal regulators work to help strengthen our fishing sectors throughout the country, particularly in these challenging economic times. Allowing for a 45-day window to non-reviewed enforcement abuse cases is an important starting point in that process.
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator