2011Federal officials apologize for NOAA violations and return $649,527 in fines.Economy and Industry, Maritime & Fishing Industry

To address excessive fishery enforcement actions, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco apologized and announced decisions to return $649,527 to 11 individuals and businesses as recommended by an investigative special master, Charles Swartwood III. However, Locke conceded that no one who had violated the rights of the fishing industry people had been or was going to be sanctioned or punished.