The Sorting Table delves into commercial fishing news from coast to coast. The editorial staff of National Fisherman invites you to share your insights on what’s going on in the industry.
CategoriesRecent EntriesHow'd you get here?Countdown to Pacific Marine ExpoThe burden of being menhadenFo'c'sle library (a classic)Bill may curb southeast sea ottersCod numbers reportedly take a turn for the worseFresh off the boatYou, too, on YouTubeHello, I must be going nowCreating a market for under-valued fishRecent CommentsMike Dolan on NOAA is all apologiesBrian on Introducing the iLobsterBen on Introducing the iLobsterBeringFisherman on Groundfish catch shares going bi-coastal Dick Allen on Jane, doh!National Fisherman on Jane, doh!Wreckfish on Jane, doh!Sierra Anderson on Facing factsken grimshaw on Tough loveJessica on Recovery in a snapArchivesNovember 2011October 2011September 2011August 2011July 2011June 2011May 2011April 2011March 2011February 2011« Creating a market for under-valued fish |Main| You, too, on YouTube »October 14, 2011Hello, I must be going nowNOAA chief Jane Lubchenco departed before the Oct. 3 Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing in Boston on New England’s groundfish sector management system was over, angering fishermen and politicians alike. The news today that she left the hearing to promote the agency’s fisheries management policies to a newspaper editorial board won’t lessen that anger.
Lubchenco’s lack of concise answers to the questions panel members posed at the recent Senate hearing that Sen. John Kerry (D.-Mass.) organized irked the politicians, who have been frustrated in their dealings with the NOAA chief. Then Lubchenco left the hearing two-thirds of the way through.
Her departure angered fishermen and politicians, who say the catch shares management system is having a severe negative economic effect on New England’s groundfish harvesters and coastal communities. They say Lubchenco needed to hear the testimony of all witnesses.
According to the Gloucester (Mass.) Times, when Lubchenco left the hearing, before heading back to Washington, she met with the Boston Globe’s editorial board and reporters to talk about progress made and challenges remaining in rebuilding fish stocks and strengthening the health of coastal fishing communities.
Leaving a Senate hearing to promote your agency’s policies to a newspaper is unacceptable. It’s flabbergasting to see the lack of respect, maybe even contempt, Lubchenco has for Congress and for the fishing industry. Never mind Wall Street. Maybe fishermen should Occupy NOAA until the president finds the agency a new leader.
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