WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), the Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard today touted recent decisions by the National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that continue the process of enforcement reform following three reports by the Department of Commerce Inspector General detailing abusive practices against fisherman and other fishing industry members. Senator Snowe said today’s announcement of the reassignment of two individuals cited in the Inspector General's reports, as well as the issuance of a new draft penalty policy and the commencement of a nationwide search for a new Director of the Office of Law Enforcement, would help rebuild the relationship between fishermen and resource managers, particularly in the northeast region.
“For centuries, fishermen have been the backbone of our coastal communities, and the Inspector General’s findings of bias against them by some enforcement personnel in the northeast region are appalling,” said Senator Snowe, who earlier this month called for the immediate removal of any employee found guilty of these allegations. “The agency still has much work to do, but today's announcements coupled with Secretary Locke's recent visit with fisherman in Portland have demonstrated to me a commitment to address the serious abuses of power within NOAA.”
As of today, NOAA’s Office of General Counsel, through its Office of General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation, will solicit public comment on a new draft penalty policy that will provide details for calculating civil penalties for violation of fishing and environmental laws. A copy of the draft policy can be found here: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/penaltypolicy.html.
In addition to the commencement of a nationwide search for a new Director of the Office of Law Enforcement, NOAA reassigned Charles Juliand, a lawyer in the office of General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation, to work on matters related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA also announced the reassignment of Dale Jones, the former head of NOAA's Office for Law Enforcement, to the position of fisheries specialist working on international trade issues within the agency. Neither Mr. Jones nor Mr. Juliand will have any further enforcement-related responsibilities.
“I appreciate NOAA’s actions in response to these serious allegations, which have resulted in material loss for fishermen and contributed to the dysfunctional relationship between fishermen and managers, particularly in the northeast region” said Senator Snowe. “I intend to vigorously monitor their continued efforts going forward and stand ready to assist in their efforts.”