I think RFA should get rid of him. This really hurts their credibility

John Depersenaire, who lives in Margate, was paid to collect data on 59 trips at sea from the ports in Cape May and Barnegat Light between October 2001 and February 2002. He never left the dock.

“We lost 59 trips of data. He didn't make the trips. He stayed at home,” said David Potter, chief of NOAA's Fisheries Sampling Branch.

The data is used to assess the health and abundance of fish populations. Observers record details such as age, size, weight, sexual maturity and other biological information that is used to develop the regulations that govern the fishing industry.

Depersenaire pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years probation while agreeing to pay restitution of $29,541, which is the salary he was paid to collect the data. The plea agreement reached in U.S. District Court in Trenton follows a three-year investigation by enforcement agents at NOAA Fisheries.

Rest of story at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...-6745977c.html