BOSTON — U.S. Rep. Barney Frank has backed off his call for the nation’s ocean chief to resign after assurances that the Obama administration would give the fishing industry’s problems “highest priority.”
The Massachusetts Democrat’s statement Friday came a day after he called for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head Jane Lubchenco to step down. Frank said she was unwilling to work to ease onerous fishing regulations, and also cited mismanagement at NOAA’s law enforcement agency, which fishermen have long alleged was corrupt.
Frank’s call was echoed by Massachusetts Rep. John Tierney on Thursday and North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones on Friday.
In his statement Friday, Frank said Obama administration officials told him replacing Lubchenco was a “drastic” and “unnecessary” step.
Frank said he was told the fishing industry’s problems were being “seriously considered” by Lubchenco and the administration.
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