Press Release  Audit Leads to Improved Revenue Protection at Department of Fish and Game

Boston — In an audit released today, State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump noted deficiencies in the way in which the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) safeguards license fees and other revenue it takes in, and in its information technology (IT) controls. The audit examined the period of July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018.

“We rely on the Department of Fish and Game to manage our state’s wildlife and to facilitate recreational permitting and licensing for our hunting and fishing residents. This audit has helped the agency implement better revenue protection and IT protocols which will ensure payments from residents are adequately protected from theft or inappropriate use,” Bump said of the audit. “I commend the Department for taking our findings seriously and for acting with urgency.”

The audit found DFG lacked an effective segregation of duties within its Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Auditors revealed DMF had only one employee, the revenue coordinator, responsible for all daily revenue processing for the Division. The audit notes this could result in funds not being adequately safeguarded. Additionally, the audit found the revenue coordinator was using the username and password of DMF’s chief fiscal officer to access the fish permitting program. The audit notes, under state technology guidelines, user account information must not be shared because it can lead to security breaches and inappropriate use.

In its response, DFG reports it published new policies to address the audit recommendations.

DFG is responsible for preserving the state's natural resources. The agency has four major divisions: DMF, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Office of Fishing and Boating Access, and the Division of Ecological Restoration. In fiscal year 2019, DFG received $29,705,777 in state appropriations.

The full audit report is available here.

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