WASHINGTON – Congressman Barney Frank today announced that he will file an amicus curiae brief in support of the pending lawsuit by the cities of New Bedford and Gloucester regarding the proposed catch share program.  Frank also said that he plans to organize Members of Congress to join the brief.

“The fact that the Obama administration has so far refused our request to increase allocations for this fishing season makes the catch share program completely unworkable.  Catch shares is a controversial and radical change, and to institute this new system while also drastically reducing catch allocations guarantees that it would be devastating to the fishing industry.  For this reason, I will support the cities’ lawsuit.”

Frank spoke with Mayor Lang today to discuss the lawsuit and they will continue to work closely on this issue.