Chatham fishermen worry that bureaucratic red tape will keep them from catching the fish they say will allow them to survive another year.
Usually, scientific studies showing fish population declines drive harsher regulations. But this year, new rules due to be implemented in May slash the catch of skates and pollock even though the scientists have information that those populations may actually be more robust than previously believed.
In the case of dogfish, the stock is booming and has even been declared "rebuilt" by one major regulatory body, but strict quotas remain in place because of a decade-old numbers dispute between the federal fisheries service and the regional fishery management councils.
"If we can't find a way to get higher skate and dogfish quota, and to get more pollock … we'll see fishing businesses go under in 2010," said Thomas Dempsey, a policy analyst with the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association.