As per the press communiqué released by NOAA, Jane Lubchenco, Admnistator NOAA has directed the agency’s enforcement and legal offices to take strict measures in law enforcement, ensure fairness in penalties and improve lines of communication with commercial and recreational fishermen. She has made several recommendations to improve NOAA’s enforcement operations.
Dr Lubchenco said that rebuilding our fisheries and sustaining the jobs and coastal communities that depend on them is a goal we share with the fishing public. It is noted that this nationwide review shows that we can do a better job in this regard. NOAA will take steps to improve the system and to reinforce confidence in the system — in the interest of the fisheries resource and all who are dependent upon its viability.
Dr. Lubchenco informed that NOAA will convene a national summit on enforcement policies and practices in order to hear from constituents and experts in the field. Dr. Lubchenco also praised the professionalism and integrity of NOAA’s law enforcement agents and attorneys during the Inspector General’s review.
Among several steps some are revising procedural regulations and the penalty schedule; developing an internal operations and procedural manual; establishing a new case tracking database that links enforcement and legal case management systems; increasing communications with the Fishery Management Councils, especially in the Northeast U.S.; providing explanatory notes to case files; tracking priorities; providing public access to information on charges brought and cases concluded.
