Gloucester fishermen vs. NMFS

The most recent of a series of enforcement actions against the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction and the resulting U.S. Commerce Department investigation into allegations of improper and vindictive enforcement tactics by NMFS fisheries regulators has the Gloucester fishing community in an uproar.

Via the Gloucester Daily Times:

State AG backs auction in court fight

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has sided with the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction in its request for a restraining order barring federal fisheries regulators from shuttering the Harbor Loop fish brokerage for 10 days this summer.

At least 9 testify in IG's probe

A day after hundreds packed Gloucester City Hall at a vigil in support of the fishing industry, area fishermen yesterday met with investigators from the U.S. Commerce Department examining complaints of improper and vindictive enforcement tactics by fisheries regulators.

Hundreds protest enforcement regulations Hundreds protest enforcement, regulations

The imagery suggested a tragedy more than an industry's struggles with arcane federal regulations.

But for the hundreds marching with candles from the steps of City Hall to the sea last night, the Byzantine federal efforts to control the fishing industry have risen to that level.

Editorial: Fishing vigil, rally is a new beginning in fight for justice

Wednesday night's candlelight vigil and demonstration against the shameful regulatory and enforcement squeeze on a fishing industry already struggling for survival was an invigorating show of passion and solidarity.

My view: Taking fishing industry message to a higher economic level

Wednesday evening's vigil and march in support of Gloucester's embattled fishing industry marked a critical moment in this seafaring community's long and storied history.