NOAA head details fishery enforcement reforms, seeks justification of penalties after report

NOAA head details reforms of fishery enforcement

BOSTON — The nation’s oceans chief has proposed a rule that would force her agency to better justify penalties against fishermen.

The proposal was among reforms in how the nation’s fisheries are policed that were detailed Thursday by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head Jane Lubchenco (LOOB’-chin-ko) .

She also announced meetings in New England next month and Washington in June to try to mend the frayed relationship between fishermen and fishery enforcement.

Last year, after persistent complaints by fishermen, Lubchenco requested a federal review of NOAA’s enforcement division.

That review found poor management of funds and a perception of arbitrary penalties. It also found Northeast fishermen were fined at double the rate of other regions.