Schwaab's complete statement follows.

"NOAA is committed to the success of America's fishermen, our coastal communities and the health of the marine resources that support these communities.

"We welcome the Inspector General's review as another opportunity to improve fisheries management, a process involving NOAA, the regional fishery management councils, the fishing industry, the states and other stakeholders. We will work with the Inspector General to assist him in this review, which comes at a time when NOAA is working with the council to put in place reforms recommended by a recent independent management review of Northeast fisheries management.

"We have also just announced that we will engage an independent consulting group to initiate a participatory review and an independent assessment of the actions already underway. This process will involve more opportunity for fishermen and other stakeholders to provide valuable input."

Read the complete article in The Gloucester Times