U.S. Sen. John Kerry told NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco today he expects her to be sent the scientific proof she's requiring about the harmful impact of catch share management on the groundfishery — and he expects her to issue a "disaster declaration later this month."
With its implied deadline 11 days away, the request referred to efforts that have so far have been rebuffed by the Obama administration's top commerce and fisheries officials, and noted that Gov. Deval Patrick sought $21 million in direct economic relief from Lubchenco's policies.
Those policies, none moreso catch shares — with its commodification and the job loss from hyper-consolidation across New England's groundfishing industry — have driven a wedge between the administration and a bipartisan coalition in Congress.
Read the complete story from The Gloucester Times.
Read the letter from Senator Kerry