Commerce to make concessions to New England fishermen

In an abrupt reversal of its previous policy, the Department of Commerce announced today that it has agreed to offer some real concessions to New England fishermen, particularly those who feel they have suffered at the hands of overly harsh law enforcement practices.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke flatly denied similar appeals from the fishing industry and political leaders at the end of January, a decision US Sen. John F. Kerry described at the time as “unacceptable for Massachusetts."

Today's decision comes soon after Kerry's recent meeting with Gary Locke and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration head Jane Lubchenco following increased political pressure on Locke, who is seeking confirmation as US ambassador to China.

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Locke and NOAA head Dr. Jane Lubchenco will conduct a conference call with national media this afternoon to discuss the changes

On March 3, Kerry met with Secretary Locke and Administrator Lubchenco and spoke with White House Chief of Staff and former Commerce Secretary William Daley, and on March 11 again met with Administrator Lubchenco and spoke with Secretary Locke to discuss the dire needs of Massachusetts fishermen.



Senator Kerry also followed up with a letter recommending a number of emergency steps to help the Massachusetts fishing industry. Specifically, Kerry asked for the following: Secretary Locke to issue a Disaster Declaration to provide emergency economic assistance to the fishing industry; catch limits to be increased for the current fishing season; additional reports of abuse and unfair treatment from the fishing community to be examined by the Special Master; penalties associated with cases being reviewed by the Special Master be stayed until the review is complete; a five year audit of the Asset Forfeiture Fund; and for an increase in the frequency of stock assessments, a quicker incorporation of findings of cooperative research, and reduction in the amount of scientific uncertainty in our management decisions.

“I’m very grateful for today’s announcement, and for the candid, good faith conversations and negotiations we’ve shared. It’s a solid and welcome first step to repair the relationship between the Department of Commerce, NOAA, and our fishing communities that has been strained in recent years,” said Sen. Kerry. “Our fishermen, fishing communities and the Massachusetts congressional delegation have been ringing this alarm bell and this is very welcome news that the government is responding. This is a first step but an important one and the hard work continues. Our fishermen have a deep hole to dig out of just to survive, and they desperately need the government at all levels to help them dig. Today the Commerce Department picked up the shovel. Many more actions are needed to address the economic impacts on our fishermen and I will continue my very close collaboration with the Administration to make sure we’re all pushing and pulling in the same direction.”

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I encourage anyone who believes they were fined unfairly for fisheries violations to take advantage of the appeal window and submit a complaint,” said Kerry. “These changes overall will help ensure that money isn’t being taken out of the pockets of our hard working fisherman.”