Congressman John Tierney issued the following release:
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John F. Tierney released the following statement expressing his deep disappointment that U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will not be issuing emergency regulations to increase catch-share limits. This decision comes in spite of recent data provided to the Department which demonstrated the need for an emergency increase. Throughout his time in Congress, Tierney has been a consistent advocate for policies that take appropriate steps to ensure fairness and economic stability for local fishing communities.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Secretary did not take emergency action to increase catch limits despite the fact that credible, scientific evidence was provided to him demonstrating the need for it.” said Congressman John F. Tierney. “The livelihood of fishermen in our area and many other coastal communities will be negatively impacted by this decision. As we move forward, I will continue to explore all avenues to press the Secretary of Commerce to take appropriate action in order to ensure that our fishermen receive a fair shake.”
The decision by the Department of Commerce to not issue emergency regulations to increase the catch limits follows the Secretary of Commerce’s review of a report entitled, "A Report on Economic and Scientific Conditions in the Massachusetts Multispecies Groundfishery" submitted to the Department by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. The report, prepared in consultation with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation and the mayors of Gloucester and New Bedford, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts School of Marine Science and Technology, Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute, demonstrated the existence of an economic disaster and provided the necessary criteria to warrant that the Secretary take emergency action and raise catch limits.
“Although the availability of certain fish stocks may rise with the recently enacted International Fisheries Clarification Act, which will allow regulators to negotiate higher catch limits with Canada for domestic fisherman under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, it is important to note that, taken alone, this is not enough,” continued Tierney. “There is still much more to be done to help our fishing communities, and the fact remains that the lack of action by the Secretary will result in more hardship for our fishing communities.”