Last week, the inspector general of the U.S. Commerce Department released the results of an audit which indicates that the federal fisheries law enforcement agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is using fine money to purchase take-home cars, boats, and travel. As a former prosecutor I am astonished at the arbitrariness of the penalties, and now further horrified at the way NOAA utilizes the money. This profiting by our government is yet another reason why many of our citizens distrust our government.
The inspector general's report supports the "arbitrariness" contention of many of the hard-working fishermen. However, the inspector general's audit is not the only evidence supporting NOAA's arbitrariness. In the past few weeks NOAA has decided to increase the catch weight of certain species by nearly six times the current limits. How can such a dramatic increase occur?
It occurs because for the first time NOAA is feeling the heat and thinks such adjustments will provide the novice with the appearance that they are thoughtful and deliberate in their decisions. However, this symbolic act merely exemplifies the absolute arbitrariness of the NOAA policies.
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