Fishermen to descend on Washington, demand fishery law changes
By APSunday, February 14, 2010
Fishermen say federal law kills jobs
BOSTON — Fishermen are planning to pack the U.S. Capitol steps next week to demand changes in federal fisheries law.
They say the Magnuson-Stevens Act is killing jobs and eroding fishing communities.
Organizers expect up to 3,000 people at the Feb. 24 rally.
Jim Hutchinson Jr. of the Recreational Fishing Alliance says the law sets unrealistically high goals to rebuild stocks, then punishes fishermen if the fish don’t rebound along an arbitrary, unscientific timeline.
Massachusetts state Sen. Bruce Tarr says the rally can help lawmakers understand the urgency of changing the law.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency spokeswoman says the agency will be listening to what rally participants say.
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