Washington, DC – Today, Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and John F. Tierney (D-MA) responded to the recent decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to appoint an Acting Director for the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), replacing the current Director, Mr. Dale Jones, and immediately open a nationwide search for a permanent OLE Director.
“While this not a cause for celebration, it is clearly an improvement,” said Frank. “I express my gratitude to Dr. Lubchenco for this positive step, and I expect NOAA to undertake a careful and thorough selection process as they select a new Director of Law Enforcement.”
“Today’s action by NOAA to appoint a new Acting Director for OLE is a step in the right direction. I am grateful to Dr. Jane Lubchenco and Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwab for acting on this matter and I am hopeful this will lead to the end of the unfair and abusive practices by the enforcement agency toward our fishermen,” said Congressman Tierney. “It is my intention to formally request the public release of a new IG report on the unacceptable behavior and work practices of Mr. Jones. This is imperative and only fair to those in the fishing community who have been unjustly targeted for so long. I will continue to be actively engaged on this issue and work to ensure appropriate action is taken.”
Congressmen Frank and Tierney have repeatedly called for Mr. Jones to step aside, as Jones has come under heavy scrutiny in recent months as a result of findings in a January Inspector General’s (IG) report on enforcement issues, questionable actions revealed through Mr. Jones’ testimony at a March congressional hearing in Gloucester, Massachusetts and potential improprieties by Mr. Jones and OLE brought to light through recent Congressional Hearings.