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Federal Fishing Officials Faulted At Mass. Hearing

Some of the state's top elected officials are joining with local fishermen to sharply criticize the federal government's oversight of the New England fishing industry.

U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Scott Brown hosted a field hearing at the Massachusetts State House on Monday which included testimony from Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lubchenco said her agency's goal is to help give fishermen more control over their industry. She said that fish stocks are being replenished and catch limits being raised.

Lubchenco found herself the target of pointed rebukes from both U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, whose district includes New Bedford, and Brown.

"You know, [Lubchenco's] lack of attention to the questions, the failure to be honest and forthright with us has led to the devastation of the fishing industry in this state," Brown said.

Frank said the government has taken on an adversarial role with fishermen.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom

This article was originally published on October 03, 2011.

This program aired on October 3, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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