About 2,000 recreational and commercial fishermen, and business owners that provide for these industries, gathered Wednesday afternoon near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to call for reforms to the Magnuson-Stevens Act and allow for more flexibility and better scientific methods when setting catch limits.
About two dozen politicians — Democrats and Republicans — took to the stage to announce their support for the fishermen’s cause, saying they should be allowed to participate in their recreational activity or livelihood without bureaucratic interference and regulations that aren’t based on sound science.
“It’s out of control. What does it take to get fired at NOAA? When I held a hearing, one of the first hearings in Boston, I asked that important question and I’m still waiting for an answer. … We need to have [NOAA administrator Jane] Lubchenco fired. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., said to the delight of the cheering crowd.
