New Bedford, Massachusetts – “We are watching…” are the words of Commerce Department Inspector General Todd J. Zinser in response to Mayor Scott W. Lang’s request for an investigation into NOAA’s rule making process for New England fisheries management. While the IG is taking a cautious approach as to not interfere with the City’s litigation on catch shares, he has committed to keep a close eye on the actions of NOAA with a particular focus on the external audit commissioned last October by Eric Schwaab, NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.
The IG also stated that his office is investigating the rule making process for fisheries management in another region which he says, “…may result in observations about NOAA’s rule making process in general.” Mr. Zinser expressed the desire to discuss the review with the Mayor once it is underway.
Lang, Mayor of the number one fishing port in the United States, requested the IG’s investigation based on grave concerns regarding the fisheries regulation process in the Northeast. The lack of fair play and transparency coupled with use of stale science in the development of fisheries management has caused profound and adverse socio-economic impacts that are crippling fishing communities. New Bedford is experiencing the consequences first hand.
Mayor Lang stated, “The IG has committed to be a watch dog over NOAA, their external audit and the rule making process. Fishing rules and regulations are intimately tied to the livelihood of fishing families and communities and it is high time NOAA develops them using an open and transparent process.”
A copy of the IG letter is attached with this release.
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See the original press release.