On Tuesday, the Boston Herald posted an article about leaders in the commercial and recreational fishing industries planning a protest outside the harbor at Martha’s Vineyard during the President’s stay there. 

According to the article:

“The protest is being organized after a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of federal lawmakers — including the core of the President’s Congressional base on banking and health care issues — have given up hope of working productively with Obama’s top appointee for oceans and fisheries, Jane Lubchenco, who heads the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

I guess what has happened here is that the fishing industry has realized that the Obama Administration does not negotiate.  The protest is scheduled for noon today. 

The article further points out:

Since her appointment to head the NOAA by President Obama, Lubchenco, who had been an officer of the Environmental Defense Fund and a leader of the Pew Oceans Commission, has pushed to convert the fisheries into commodities markets under a management system known as catch shares.

In a statement to the Times soon after her confirmation by the Senate, Lubchenco’s office said her goal was to see a “significant fraction of the vessels … removed.”

With the stocks rebuilding strongly, fishermen wonder at the need to reduce the size of the work force.

There are some real questions about what the Obama Administration is attempting to do to the fishing industry.  There are examples of excessive fines that have put small fisherman out of business and abuses in the enforcement process.    This seems to be an attack on small businesses that create jobs and feed Americans.  Some of these fishing businesses have been in the same family for generations.  These businesses are part of the backbone of the New England (and East Coast) economy.  I am not sure the protest will be effective in changing Washington, but more people need to be aware of what is happening to the fishing industry.

This is another reason to change the composition of Congress.  We need to elect leaders who will protect the small businessman–not drive him out of business with unnecessary regulations.