BOSTON — The former agent in charge at the Northeast’s embattled federal fishery enforcement office says he will retire.

Andrew Cohen’s decision comes as the nation’s fishery enforcement office endures tough scrutiny, including a federal review that found fiscal mismanagement, bias against fishermen and high pressure tactics to extract large fines.

On Wednesday, Cohen said his departure from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after three decades was long planned. But he said putting new leadership in place would be beneficial, “symbolically, if nothing else.”

Cohen stepped down as the agent in charge of the Northeast region earlier this month.

Cohen said he was proud of the work he’d done, and certain he’d helped protect honest fishermen. He said the criticism has come mainly from people caught stealing who were upset the law was being enforced.

 

 

 

 

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