Tag Archives: rep-william-straus

Rep. William Straus request reveals NOAA has yet to penalize Rafael

Through a public records request, Rep. William Straus said he discovered that NOAA hasn’t disciplined Carlos Rafael since the indictment has been released. That included an incident on Aug. 5, 2016, which occurred after the indictment, where public records also show that the Coast Guard cited the Lady Patricia, a Rafael vessel listed in the indictment, for “fishing without proper VMS designation.” NOAA defines its Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) as a system supporting law enforcement initiatives and preventing violations of laws and regulations. It is used as evidence in the prosecution of environmental laws and regulations including regional fishing quotas, the Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. click here to read the story 21:40

Arrogance is NOAA Fisheries “to border on recklessness, if not irresponsibility.” ending ten year SMAST/ Scallop Industry collaborative research.

Industry leaders are furious that this productive program has been hi jacked by NMFS, while the sallop set aside fund money will now be detoured to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and will now be conducting the survey utilizing the “Habcam”.

Ma State Rep. William Straus, D-Mattapoisett said.”Cutting SMAST out is a problem,”.

“SMAST is one of the few outside parties doing review that will keep the feds honest, so to speak,” he said.

No doubt the state rep has been watching the downward credibility spiral of NOAA/NMFS, and keeping them honest is not something that seems to be possible.

http://bore-head007.newsvine.com/_news/2012/08/31/13593636-arrogance-is-noaa-fisheries-to-border-on-recklessness-if-not-irresponsibility-ending-ten-year-smast-scallop-industry-collaborative-research