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Home arrow News arrow Enforcement arrow Fishermen receive apology, almost $650,000 in returned fines from feds
Fishermen receive apology, almost $650,000 in returned fines from feds
Acknowledging that some federal fish police “overstepped the bounds of propriety and fairness”, US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is returning almost $650,000 in fines to 11 fishermen or businesses, the majority in the Northeast.
 

The unusual move – and apology - comes after years of accusations by fishermen of excessive fines and intimidation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s office of Law Enforcement. Locke had appointed a special investigator last year to investigate 30 cases that a federal Inspector General’s office report said appeared problematic.

“I expect our entire law enforcement program to uphold high standards and maintain the public’s trust,’’ Locke said today in a telephone press conference. The special investigator, Charles Swartwood III found 13 instances in the 30 of poor conduct or other problems. “Enforcement has to be fair, uniform and consistent,” Locke said.

Read the complete story from The Boston Globe.

 

 

 

 

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JESSICA HATHAWAY: 'National Fisherman' editor says New York Times misrepresented catch share support

May 18, 2012 - The New York Times heralds catch shares for saving summer flounder and Northeast haddock, which is like crediting a freshman class for the seniors' high college placement rate. By the same token, we could blame catch shares for the demise of Northeast cod stocks. But we don't.