Lawmakers Want Emergency Fishing
Regs Before Catch Share Funds

Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA) spearheaded a bipartisan, bicameral letter on December 15 to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting that Fiscal Year 2011 funds for the implementation of the catch share program be conditioned on the issuance of emergency regulations for groundfish by the Department of Commerce.

Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown and Congressmen Barney Frank and Bill Delahunt joined Tierney on this letter.

Nearly five weeks have passed and, while credible, substantial and scientifically-based evidence has been provided to the Department of Commerce, emergency regulations revising the catch limits to higher levels still have not been issued.

The Department has not responded to letters from Members of Congress on this critical issue or verbally communicated why the requested action has not been taken. This is unacceptable,said Congressman John F. Tierney.

On numerous occasions, we have responsibly requested reasonable action by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Commerce.

Repeatedly, these discussions appear to have led to little more than speeches and broken promises.

With this letter, my colleagues and I are calling for serious action that would have a significant impact on the Departments Fiscal Year 2011 budget but such action is warranted. I will keep fighting to ensure the fishermen in my district and their families get a fair shake and will continue my efforts to hold the Department of Commerce accountable.

Saving Seafoods