Outer Banks watermen have joined their peers from New England and New York in voicing complaints about what they say are excessive fines and overzealous enforcement practices by federal fisheries agents.
About 20 watermen gave interviews over two days with a team of government investigators, said Sean McKeon, president of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, a commercial fishing lobbying group.
"It’s an opportunity for us to get on the record with the proper agencies the abuses that the industry has been subject to for many, many years," he said. "When they overreach, when people are treated like common criminals – which we believe they are – something needs to be done."