NEW BEDFORD — New England's congressional delegation Thursday went over the heads of NOAA officials and appealed directly to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke for relief from sharp commercial fishing restrictions that will take effect May 1, one week from Saturday.
Ten senators and 13 members of the House informed Locke that he, as secretary, has the legal authority to impose emergency rules changes without running afoul of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Meanwhile, the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife heard testimony on the predicted economic trouble coming from new rules that are expected to decimate commercial fishing in the Northeast.
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