As the wheels of litigation begin to turn, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said Tuesday he plans to file an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief supporting the city's federal lawsuit to revise implementation of severe new commercial fishing restrictions and allocate more fish to the fleet to keep it alive.
On Monday, Gov. Deval Patrick said that he supports the state joining the suit, as Gloucester and many other industry interests have already done. Attorney General Martha Coakley said she is looking into the matter before making a decision.
Frank's decision to jump into the fray follows a frustrating meeting between 13 members of Congress from the New England coastal states and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Frank has been especially frustrated with Dr. Jane Lubchenco, the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who hasn't conceded anything to the industry at any time during the process.
"The fact that the Obama administration has so far refused our request to increase allocations for this fishing season makes the catch share program completely unworkable. Catch shares is a controversial and radical change, and to institute this new system while also drastically reducing catch allocations guarantees that it would be devastating to the fishing industry. For this reason, I will support the cities' lawsuit."
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