MARCH 11 UPDATE: U.S. Inspector General: ‘Trust’ gap hurts, but science good
PRIOR COVERAGE:
PORTLAND, ME (March 4, 2009) – Fish-population estimates that are driving severe fishing restrictions in New England waters are based on the best available science, despite persistent criticism of those findings, according to a new federal report. [SAVING SEAFOOD NOTE: Senator Snowe responds by saying the fisheries service is failing to work with the industry and that its science, even if it is the best available, isn’t good enough.]
However, the report also says that federal officials need to work better with the fishing industry to erase doubts and expand research.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Office of the Inspector General presented that assessment late last week to the U.S. senators from Maine and Massachusetts. Last summer, the senators called for a federal review of groundfish science, citing a growing distrust in the National Marine Fisheries Service among fishermen.
Read the Portland Press Herald story in full
View the Inspector General’s report in full [PDF]