Top Massachusetts elected officials joined with local fishermen to sharply criticize the federal government's oversight of the New England fishing industry at a public hearing Monday.
U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Scott Brown hosted the field hearing at the Massachusetts Statehouse, which featured testimony from Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Lubchenco said she understands that the New England fishing industry is struggling and said her agency's goal is to help give fishermen more control over their industry. She said that fish stocks are being replenished and catch limits are being raised.
But Lubchenco also acknowledged what she said has been a "dysfunctional relationship" between federal regulators and local fishermen in the past – a relationship that she says is on the mend.
"I think we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "There are now glimmers of hope. We are finally on track to end overfishing. Stocks are being rebuilt and catch limits are up."
Lubchenco's comments met with deep skepticism at the hearing.
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