Sen. Kerry, a longtime and ardent environmentalist, is thought among many movers and shakers on the waterfront to have largely left fisheries issues to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
This week, however, Kerry jumped into the issue of fisheries regulations in the same way Kennedy certainly would have, had he been alive.
A strongly-worded letter from the state's senior senator called out Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco like never before.
Kerry outlined a four-point plan demanding satisfaction on all of the issues that Northeast fishermen believe are necessary to save their drowning industry: a disaster declaration to provide emergency financial relief to the fishery; increased catch-share limits necessary to keep small-boat fishermen in business; delays of penalties for unfair fishing regulations; and more reporting time for fishermen who have been abused in the past by NOAA.
Perhaps most importantly, Kerry's polite, though steely missive included a demand for more timely science and stock assessments so that Northeast fisheries regulations will no longer be based on outdated data.
"This is an opportunity to repair a relationship between the Department of Commerce, NOAA and the fishing communities that has been very badly strained these last few years," he wrote.
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