Media Alert: On the Air with WBZ-TV’s Jon Keller

Earlier today WBZ-TV’s Political Analysis and Reporter JonKeller stopped by my office to discuss the decision made by former U.S. SenatorScott Brown to not run in the upcoming U.S. Senate special election. 

Please tune in to this evening’s news towatch Jon’s report.

Calling for Accountability

Yesterday I joined in support of U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s request to the President for the immediate removal of Jane Lubchenco, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The continued mismanagement of the groundfish fishery by federal regulators has hurt fishermen, their families and seaside businesses. In order to get the industry to a healthy state, action must be taken to begin to correct some of the past transgressions by NOAA policymakers and enforcement officials.

Below is a video taken at yesterday’s press conference called by Senator Brown, and a report by the Gloucester Daily Times.





Brown, In Gloucester Calls for President to Fire NOAA...GloucesterTimes

A Productive Hearing

Yesterday the Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing on federal fisheries management issues at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The hearing was arranged by Senator Scott Brown, and was chaired by Senator Tom Carper of Delaware. Throughout the hearing Senator Brown asked important questions about why fishermen have been victimized by fisheries enforcement officials and why the misspending of improperly imposed fines was sanctioned by those same officials. I was pleased to be able to attend the hearing, which was an important step in identifying some serious improprieties in the way our fisheries are managed and the action steps needed to get back on a course of fair treatment for fishing families and a regulatory framework that rebuilds stocks while allowing sustainable harvests of fish to benefit our nation.

Thanks to Senator Brown for his strong leadership on behalf of those who risk their lives at sea to bring fish to consumers.

Stories about the hearing from the Gloucester Daily Times and the Boston Globe are posted below.

Gloucester Daily Times What Does It Take to Get Fired Senator Asks

Globe...Senators Told That Fines Hit Fishermen Unfairly

U.S. Senator Brown Comes to Gloucester

On Saturday, February 12th, U.S. Senator Scott Brown came to Gloucester to meet with local leaders, seaside business owners and fishermen regarding his recently filed FISH (Fishery Impact Statement Honesty) Act of 2011. If passed, the bill would create an independent oversight process to review fishery regulations created by NOAA and the United States Commerce Department. New regulations have been particularly harmful to the livelihood of the industry and this process would require NOAA to implement a plan for corrective measures to ensure the success and viability of the industry while rebuilding stocks.

An independent review process would not only provide an honest analysis of the impacts of management measures on the fishing industry, but would also generate the much needed transparency and integrity that federal regulators have lost.

Below are a few photos from Saturday’s event.

State Senator Bruce Tarr (far left) and Scott Memhard (far right) provide U.S. Senator Scott Brown (center) a tour of Cape Pond Ice.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (left) talks with fisherman Joe Orlando (center) and State Senator Bruce Tarr (far right) while receiving a tour of Gloucester's inner harbour.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (far left) discusses with fisherman Joe Orlando (far right) and State Senator Bruce Tarr (center) about the struggles of the fishing industry aboard the fishing vessel Pablo Pia.

Mayor Kirk of Gloucester (far left) discusses with U.S. Senator Scott Brown (center) and State Senator Bruce Tarr (far right) the effects fishery regulations have had on the city aboard the fishing vessel Pablo Pia.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (center) tours the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction with owner Larry Ciulla (far right), Mayor Kirk, State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, andState Senator Bruce Tarr.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown discusses with State Senator Bruce Tarr, fishermen, fishing advocates and stakeholders about his recently filed FISH Act of 2011.

Brown Comes to Gloucester, Commits Support to Fishing Industry

Recently U.S. Senator Scott Brown came to Gloucester on a visit that grew out of our continuing dialogue about the commercial fishing industry and his commitment to taking action to ensure its viability. This story in the Gloucester Daily Times chronicles the visit.


GloucesterDailyTimes Brown Vows Hearings on NOAA Legals