News |
US says it will return nearly $650,000 in fines to fishermen |
|
Acknowledging that federal fishery police “overstepped the bounds of propriety and fairness,’’ US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced yesterday that he is returning almost $650,000 in fines to 11 fishermen and businesses, most in the Northeast. One New Bedford scalloper will receive $400,000.
The unusual move — and apology — comes after years of accusations by New England fishermen of excessive fines and intimidation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement. Locke had appointed a special investigator to examine 30 specific cases that the Commerce Department inspector general highlighted as problematic. Read the complete story from The Boston Globe.
|
|||
|
|
||
HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act
May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.
