Expressing concern that the commodification of New England's groundfishery has accelerated economic inequality, Sen. John Kerry has urged the U.S. Commerce Department to acknowledge the policy has been a "disaster" — as alleged by elected federal and state officials.

If this administration is truly concerned about the needs of fishermen in Massachusetts and across the country," Brown said, "the president's next Commerce Secretary should be committed to advancing a management plan that promotes the economic vitality of our fishing communities, as well as a sustainable catch policy."

Sen. Scott Brown also declined to comment on the Locke nomination Wednesday, but in a statement to the Times, the Republican did say Locke's "departure represents a real opportunity for President Obama to begin to rebuild the relationship between his administration and our fishermen."