New regulations could hinder fishing industry - The News Herald

New regulations could hinder fishing industry - The News Herald: "PANAMA CITY — In a meeting with Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council officials last week, local fisherman called newly proposed fishing regulations 'draconian' and said they could cripple the long-line fishing industry.

'These could end long-line fishing altogether,' said one long-line fisherman.

Gulf of Mexico long-line fisherman are facing new regulatory proposals after a consortium of environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The Council is being sued after 21 loggerhead sea turtles were observed 'affected' by long-line fishing equipment over an 18-month period beginning in July 2007 by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Of the 21 affected, seven were confirmed killed."