DESTIN, FL - It started with the shortening of the Red Snapper Season from six months to 75 days.

Then, the Amberjack Season was abruptly cut short, in the middle of one of the biggest fishing events on the Emerald Coast.

Fisherman all over the gulf are up in arms about the federal government's new regulations on the recreational fishing industry.

Today, they decided to stand together, to show congress they mean business.

From Destin to Venice Louisiana, Panama City To Orange Beach Alabama, hundreds of boats banded together to form a symbolic blockade, hoping that someone will hear their cries for help.

Just total blatant disregard for fishing communities and the people who depand on this

George Eller was one of 90 boat captains who took to the harbor in Destin.

He's been chartering fishing boats for over 30 years, and has been hit hard by what he calls draconian measures by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

50 percent, we are at 50 percent, you can't live through the winter at 50 percent, im afraid people will lose homes, lose boat slips, its devestating.

But it's not just these boat captains that are worried about their livelihoods.

Cities like Destin depend on the recreational fishing industry for the vitality of their economy and job market.

According to a UWF study, charter fishing fleets put $55 million dollars of direct spending into the Destin economy, and employ over 7,000 peopleConnected to the industry.

Destin is known as the world's greatest fishing village, we are proud of our heritage, and that history is threatend today.

Very important to fisherman and their families, all we want is opportunity for them to earn a living

The signs explain what these fisherman are asking for...An accurate count of the fish in the gulf, instead of the federal government using what they call flawed data.

There is more fish out there than there has been in 30 years, you have to drive away from the red snapper to keep from catching them, we've told the scientists to come on boats, we will show you, but they say, oh no, that's not scientific. My my my

The next step is to get congress involved in this fight, they have talked to local senators and congressman to get this bill into committee and get it amended, but so far, there has been no action.

Even though there has been no official action on what is known as the Mag-Nuson-Stevens Act, state senators and even U.S. Senators have tried to bring the issue up.

U-S Senator George Lemieux has requested the National Marine Fisheries Service to review their decision to close the Amberjack Season, and even questioned a Department Of Commerce official on the issue at a recent committee meeting.

Lemieux got involved at the request of State Senator Don Gaetz, who has been a strong supporter of sport fisherman in the gulf.
Destin Fishing Impact Protest