In a tele-news conference with Lubchenco in Gloucester and Locke at an unstated location, each expressed hope that the action would mark a new era leading to trust between the government and the commercial fishing industry.

But in responding to questions, Locke implicitly conceded that no one who had violated the rights of the fishing industry people had been or was going to be sanctioned or punished — even those who spent years conducting countless operations against the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction including attempted entrapment, and others the investigation found were improper and excessive.

Acting on Swartwood's recommendations, Locke remitted or voided fines levied against fishermen for failing to have a "yellowtail authorization letter" which had little regulatory significance, but gave the agents to leverage to press — unsuccessfully — for evidence or testimony against the auction. 

Read the complete story from The Gloucester Times.