Washington, DC – June 16, 2011 – Congressmen John Tierney and Barney Frank today urged their Senate colleagues to secure answers from John Bryson, the President’s nominee to be the Secretary of Commerce, on a number of important issues facing our fishing community. In a letter sent to Senator John D. Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Congressmen Tierney and Frank outlined critical questions that Mr. Bryson should answer when he appears before the Committee as part of the confirmation process.
“Ensuring that our fishermen can continue to sustain their livelihood and provide for their families must be a top priority for the next Commerce Secretary,” Congressman Tierney said. “For years, many of my colleagues and I have attempted to work with the Department of Commerce in support of our fishermen, but our efforts have been met with repeated opposition and resistance. Mr. Bryson’s nomination hearing provides an opportunity to ensure that he will commit to bringing a fresh perspective and renewed sense of fairness to issues impacting our fishing community.”
“This is an important opportunity for those concerned with fair treatment for the fishing industry to receive assurance that we will have a Secretary of Commerce who understand these issues and will ensure that they are resolved fairly,” Congressman Frank said.
In addition to many other important issues, the lawmakers indicated Mr. Bryson should respond to the following questions:
• After years of inflexible and stringent catch share limits, does Mr. Bryson agree that we need to reconsider the circumstances under which the Department can and would issue emergency regulations to increase catch share limits in order to provide necessary economic relief for our fishing community?
• In May, the Commerce Department sent an Economic Development Assessment Team to Gloucester. While this was a positive step, we still have not heard what is going to be done to support the fishermen negatively affected by the catch share system. What actions will Mr. Bryson take to respond to the information compiled by Economic Development Assessment Team and provide continued economic assistance for fishermen?
• With rampant error, misuse and abuse identified in the use of the Asset Forfeiture Fund (AFF), including the purchasing of a $300,000 “luxurious” undercover vessel and excess vehicle expenditures at a cost of $4.6 million, will Mr. Bryson commit to continuing to audit the AFF and make these findings public?
• NOAA officials have harmed local fishermen and the fishing industry, especially in the Northeast. Will Mr. Bryson commit to increasing personnel dedicated to directly addressing fishermen’s concerns?
“Before the Senate moves forward with his nomination, it is imperative Mr. Bryson shows he is committed to improving the Commerce Department’s relationship with our fishing communities,” Congressman Tierney concluded.
Read the letter from the Congressmen.