Letter To The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce

Letter

Senator Kerry, Senator Brown, and Congressmen Frank, Tierney, and Delahunt have written to Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke urging him to open a 45 day window for victims of alleged enforcement excesses to come forward and have their cases reviewed by the Special Magistrate.

The delegation has heard from a number of individuals who did not submit their cases to the Inspector General due to fear of reprisal. Secretaries Locke's recent actions have restored faith in the legal process and assured the fishing community that review of its cases will not be met with retaliatory action by NOAA prosecutors.

"I have been approached by a few people who have asked for an opportunity to present their cases for review by the Special Magistrate," said Frank. "These individuals did not come forward during the IG investigation because of fear of retaliation, and the fact that they are now coming forward is a clear indicator that Secretary Locke is restoring faith in the legal process."

"As there are a number of individuals within the fishing community who did not come forward due to fear of reprisal, this 45-day window would provide a fair opportunity for these parties to seek a case review by the Special Magistrate without concerns of retaliation," said Congressman John Tierney. "I stand with my colleagues in supporting the recent efforts taken by the Secretary to restore trust in the legal process and I strongly urge him to consider this request."

Text of letter:

The Honorable Gary Locke
Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20230

Dear Secretary Locke:

Thank you for your recent visit to Massachusetts and for leading a discussion with our fishermen from throughout the state.

We are very grateful for your announcement of both the creation of the email hotline for fishermen to report overly aggressive enforcement and the reopening of cases identified by the Inspector General. The alleged enforcement excesses have led to a fractured relationship between the fishing industry and NOAA. The establishment of the hotline and the reopening of enforcement cases are important steps in the process of rebuilding the trust that our fishermen have lost in the system.

There remain a number of individuals who did not submit their cases to the Inspector General due to fear of reprisal. Your recent actions have restored faith in the legal process and assured the fishing community that review of its cases will not be met with retaliatory action by NOAA prosecutors. In light if this, we strongly urge you to open a 45 day window for these parties to come forward and have their cases reviewed by the Special Magistrate.

Again, thank you for your visit and your commitment to rapidly implementing reforms to strengthen the relationship between NOAA and fishing communities. We look forward to working together to establish a fisheries management plan that balances sensible conservation practices with the vitality of the fishing industry.