PANAMA CITY BEACH — Panama City Beach and Destin fishing industry representatives have been in Washington, D.C., this week to hook new congressmen with their concerns about jobs.
Just a little more than a year ago, boat captains from fishing towns along the Gulf Coast and East Coast held a “United We Fish” march on the capitol after federal regulations cut their seasons and reduced bag limits.
Little has changed since then, but the fishing folk said they think they are making progress and hope the new Republican-led House of Representatives will be receptive to their issues.
Of particular concern was a proposal backed by local fishermen that would cut off National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for future “catch-share” programs, a policy meant to reduce over-fishing but which critics say would drive off smaller, independent boats in favor of corporations.
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