MORE than 3,000 United States fishermen are expected to take part in a mass demonstration in the capital Washington next week to protest at the way the country's fishing industry is being treated.
The demonstration will begin at the weekend building up to the main rally scheduled for Wednesday, February 24th. They want changes to the federal fishing laws which they say are ruining jobs and threatening traditional fishing communities. catches are down and their income has fallen.
A number of laws, through what is called the Magnuson Act, have been introduced in the past year or two and more regulations are promised to restrict the amount of fishing that can take place. Despite the improving health of the ocean ecosystems the National Marine Fisheries Service has been tightening catch quotas which the industry says are not needed.
A large contingent is expected from Alaska, one of North America's most important fishing states, but there will be protesters from ports around the entire country.The organisers are calling the rally "United We Fish" and the event will be used to lobby congressmen and other politicians as well as bring their plight to the attention of the American public.
Some estimates say the protest could total well over 5,000 as it will include fishing families, fleet owners and fishing businesses as well as working fishermen.
Most large towns in the US have several seafood dedicated restaurants, but it is fair to say that many Americans pay little attention as to how the fish gets onto their plate because they live far from the coast. The fishermen are hoping that next week's protest will change all that.
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