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Protesters express their anger with federal fishing limits by building a float that shows two fishermen hanging at the hands of U.S. regulators. (Photo by Kate Glass/Gloucester, Mass., Daily Times)
Staff Photographer

Published November 02, 2009 03:35 pm -

East Coast fishermen protest federal catch rules

By Richard Gaines
CNHI News Service

GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- Scores of East Coast fishermen gathered in America's oldest seaport Friday to protest new federal fishing limits.

The demonstration, outside a new federal fisheries building, was peaceful yet purposeful, with speakers and placards railing against efforts to further restrict fishing in U.S. waters.

A 10-foot by 3-foot banner held by two protesters said: "The National Marine Fisheries Service/Destroy fishermen and their communities since 1976." That was the year Congress approved the Magnuson Act and the government began to strictly regulate the decline of certain fish stocks.

Police estimated the crowd at 250, many coming from Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York. The event was timed to occur the day before a federal deadline to correct faulty data that will affect a new regulatory scheme.

A letter of solidarity from Elinor Ostrom, winner of this year's Nobel Prize in economic science, was read at the rally.

"I wish that I could join you today as you struggle with an important issue for you and your families and for all of us affected by the fisheries world," said Ostrom's letter.

A statement by rally organizers said they had four goals:

To demand flexibility in schedules to rebuild fish stocks, and to support efforts in Congress to change unrealistic regulations;