A new government report has harshly criticized the way federal regulators police the fishing industry, particularly in the Northeast. The review was carried out by the Inspector General's Office of the U.S. Commerce Department, and says that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, must take steps to address complaints from New England fishermen and others, including claims that enforcement efforts are overly harsh, unfair, and arbitrary.
NOAA spokesman Scott Smullen says they're taking the report seriously. "Without confidence in our system we can't preserve and protect a fish resource. So we will take steps to improve the system and to reinforce confidence in the system in the interest of the fish resource and those who are going to depend upon its viability in the long run."
The report consulted over 225 individuals in various parts of the country, including fishermen, boat captains, industry association representatives and conservation officials. It found what was described as a "highly-charged regulatory climate and dysfunctional relationship between NOAA and the fishing industry, particularly in the Northeast Region."
Read the complete story and listen to audio at The Maine Public Broadcasting Network.