BOSTON — U.S. Sen. Scott Brown had some choice words for fisheries regulators Monday, as he spoke at a Senate subcommittee hearing at historic Faneuil Hall.
In prepared remarks, Brown wasted no time in targeting what he sees as still wrong with NOAA and its Office of Law Enforcement.
"Many (fishermen) tell me that NOAA regards them as criminals instead of a legitimate and valued regulated industry," Brown told Commerce Department Inspector General Todd Zinser and fisheries administrator Eric Schwaab, who were sitting on the stage across from him.
"While I again want to emphasize that our fishing regulations must be enforced, we must not forget that fishing is about catching fish, where 96 percent of violations are civil matters. The tone and the tenor of enforcement must reflect this."
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