Julie Wormser, EDF's New England Oceans Regional Director, issued the following statement on NOAA Law Enforcement and the report of the Commerce Department Inspector General. Boston, MA (September 27, 2010) – “A strong, effective and fair law enforcement program is essential to the success of, and public support for, any natural resource management program like marine fisheries management. With Commerce Secretary Locke’s visit to our region today and his stated commitment to law enforcement reform, the Northeast is on a path to better relations between fishermen and law enforcement.
The latest set of remedial actions on law enforcement announced by Secretary Locke are to be applauded and should be implemented promptly. They demonstrate that the Department of Commerce and NOAA are taking the investigation and recommendations of the Inspector General seriously and are working in good faith to reestablish public confidence in NOAA's law enforcement program in the Northeast.”