On Friday, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank announced that Commerce Department Inspector General Todd Zinser has agreed to review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's process for developing rules that apply to the fishing industry. Also this week, NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco said she would consider financial relief for local fishermen harmed by new federal rules.

Fishermen have been complaining for years that NOAA's rule-making process lacks transparency and fairness. And an independent report, commissioned by NOAA and completed in April, concluded the agency had abandoned its core missions of "development of the commercial fishing industry" and "increasing industry participation." The report prompted Frank and others to solicit the inspector general's involvement.

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