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Commerce chief: Fishery penalties to be reviewed |
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BOSTON — The U.S. commerce secretary on Thursday ordered a review of several questionable penalties assessed against fishermen in the last decade after a federal report revealed abusive treatment and high-pressure tactics by the nation's fishery enforcement officers.
Zinser's report detailed a strategy by the law enforcement office to propose large fines in order to prod fishermen toward settling cases. It also cited "animus" toward fishermen by an key attorney handling their cases. "The problems identified ... are unacceptable, were allowed to persist for too long and will end on my watch," Locke said in a press release. New Bedford boat owner Carlos Rafael, who said he paid $159,000 for a violation alleging problems with his fishing net, welcomed Locke's move to re-examine some cases. Read the complete story from the AP at The Houston Chronicle. |
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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.
