Washington

This statement was issued by Rep. John Tierney's office on Feb 03, 2010: WASHINGTON, Feb 03, 2010 —  Congressman John Tierney (D-MA) called for an oversight field hearing on the fisheries enforcement programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

On the heels of the Department of Commerce Inspector General report entitled “Review of NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Programs and Operations,” the Congressman asked Oversight and Government Reform Domestic Policy Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Kucinich to convene an oversight hearing on behalf of the City of Gloucester and national fishing communities into the findings and recommendations of this report.

“There is no better community to support a hearing on this matter than that of Gloucester,” said Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA).  “The fishing industry deserves action on reports pertaining to the immediate matters impacting them – excessive penalties and unfair treatment, among others. It only makes sense to continue to engage in oversight of this agency so Congress and the people of Gloucester can better understand the economic impact of these agency decisions.”

Tierney is supported in his effort to host this hearing by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and other interested colleagues. “Congressman Tierney has taken the lead in this vital effort to help fisherman who have been victimized by unjust enforcement policies of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,” said Frank.  “I thank him for his leadership on this important issue, and I look forward to working with him.”

Chairman Kucinich added, “Mr. Tierney is a valued and senior member of the Domestic Policy Subcommittee.  When he informed me of this important issue, I immediately assured him that the Subcommittee would hold a field hearing to investigate.”

The IG report confirmed what fishermen have been attesting to for years – namely, that there are “systemic nationwide issues” with NOAA’s law enforcement programs, practices and personnel. It reveals a number of problems that warrant congressional oversight, including, as detailed in the IG report, NOAA’s regional enforcement operations, the civil penalty assessment process, the use of proceeds from civil penalties (Asset Forfeiture Fund) and the reassessment of the law enforcement workforce composition.

As the IG report rightfully states, “NOAA’s enforcement operations have great potential to affect the fishing industry, the livelihood of individual fishermen and the public’s confidence in NOAA and the Department of Commerce.”

Tierney is working expeditiously to ensure these hearings are scheduled in the near future – potentially as early as March. Furthermore, he anticipates the Subcommittee will invite the following representatives to participate as witnesses and testify on the impact of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement practices and suggested reforms:  the U.S. Commerce Department Inspector General, NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement and Gloucester fishing industry experts, among others.

Congressman Barney Frank is a Democrat's Democrat, fiercely loyal to his party and to his president.

So when Frank starts complaining — publicly — about a federal department led by an appointee of President Obama, it's a matter of substance — on the part of Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Frank, after a lengthy meeting with Lubchenco last fall, had sent her a letter asking for support of the fishing industry. After receiving a reply from her in early January, Frank wrote back a week ago, saying she had "squandered" an opportunity to preserve jobs in the industry.

Indeed, with a new regulatory regime due to begin in May, in which fishing will be controlled under a so-called "catch share" system instead of a limited Days at Sea, Lubchenco has acknowledged that it will lead to the consolidation of the industry and fewer jobs. But she said the benefit would be that those fewer remaining jobs would be "better."

Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.

In response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) decision to take immediate steps to strengthen and improve the Agency’s enforcement and legal operations within the fishing community, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, released the following statement today:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – "Today's announcement by NOAA that it will pursue both immediate and long-term actions to address the clear flaws in NOAA's law enforcement branch constitutes a step in the right direction," said Senator Snowe.  "As fishermen know all too well, the Inspector General’s report shed light on a deep-rooted problem, and a sustained, concerted effort will be required to get NOAA's law enforcement branch back on track.  I remain deeply troubled by the systemic problems exposed by the Inspector General's Report, and I will work hand-in-glove with fishermen and the Agency to ensure all stakeholders' concerns are addressed and those responsible for past mismanagement are held accountable."

Today’s action by NOAA comes on the heels of a recent report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General that outlined systemic nationwide issues adversely affecting NOAA’s ability to regulate the fishing industry. In addition, the report found that these same issues have “contributed significantly to a…dysfunctional relationship between NOAA and the fishing industry – particularly in the northeast.”