Local fishermen head to DC in protest of limits (Update: There's hope)

Keep Fishermen Fishing on Facebook

Update 3/23/12:  The protest was attended by approximately 3000 fishermen and has gained the attention of several prominent South Carolina representatives.

The Grand Strand fishermen met with Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, along with Congressmen Tim Scott and Jeff Duncan and left with their support - a measure that gives hope for change to the fishermen, many of whom are facing unemployment as a result of the limits imposed by the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.

Check out the full write-up from the Sun News here, which includes an interview with Nora Hembree-Battle, spokeswoman for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, about the Chamber's involvement in the case, and another with an attendee of the rally. 


First report 3/21/12:  A group of local fishermen will head to Washington DC on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 to protest federal catch limits on several varieties of fish. 

In a bus provided free-of-charge by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, the fishermen will travel to participate in the "Keep the Fishermen Fishing" rally designed to show solidarity among commercial and recreational fishermen, and educate. 

According to the rally's website:

Our goal is to work together to pass common sense, scientific reform of the Magnuson Act and to remove from the Act all nonscientific and arbitrary provisions. These harmful provisions are based on emotion and ideology, not science and common sense.

source - http://www.keepfishermenfishing.com/missionstatement.html

For a look at the laws the fishermen oppose, have a look here. And to keep up with the Keep Fishermen Fishing cause, connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.

For more information about the fishermen making the trip and the types of fish being limited, read this WPDE write-up.

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