BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is asking President Obama to intervene with federal regulators who he says have rebuffed compromises with the struggling fishing industry.

Patrick’s letter, released Monday, says the Commerce Department’s “intransigence and disrespect” to small-scale fishermen is undermining trust in federal regulators and threatens their financial survival.

The letter, dated Friday, says the federal government has denied proposals to balance fishermen’s needs with measures to rebuild depleted fish stocks, including Patrick’s emergency request to increase catch limits.

Last week, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke denied a request from Patrick and Massachusetts congressmen to give more fishermen who are accused of violating rules a chance to have their cases reviewed by a special master.

Locke ordered the review last year after his department’s inspector general found questionable practices and penalties by fishing rule enforcers.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.