May 1: A new and controversial fishery management system, known as catch shares, is introduced to regulate the New England groundfishery. Fishermen form cooperatives, known as sectors, with each sector allotted a percentage of the total allowable catch. Many in the industry predict ruin, particularly for smaller vessels.

May 8: New Bedford joins Gloucester in a federal lawsuit to block the implementation of catch shares on both legal and constitutional grounds. Industry representatives from Rhode Island, North Carolina, New York, New Hampshire and several Massachusetts ports are listed as plaintiffs.

May 12: Political pressure on the federal government builds. US Secretary of Commerce Gary F. Locke meets on Capitol Hill with two-dozen congressmen and senators from coastal states who are seeking an increase in restrictive catch limits.

Aug. 27: As the economic effects of catch shares become apparent, a fleet of New Bedford fishing vessels gains national attention by steaming to Vineyard Haven to protest catch shares while President Obama is vacationing on the island with his family.

Aug. 29: In a special report, the Standard-Times reveals that catch shares are exacting a heavy toll on local fishermen and waterfront businesses. Only 31 of the 99 boats in New Bedford enrolled in sectors have gone fishing since May 1.

Sept. 23: Inspector General Todd J. Zinser publishes the results of his review of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Enforcement Programs. Fishermen have complained bitterly for years about heavy-handed treatment from the agency. The damning report substantiates much of their claims and finds evidence of abusive practices, excessive fines and overzealous enforcement directed against the fishing industry by the Office of Law Enforcement.

Sept. 27: Secretary Locke comes to Massachusetts, where he meets with lawmakers and fishermen on Beacon Hill to hear first hand of abuses by the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.

Oct. 1: Gov. Patrick sides with the industry and requests Locke to revise the annual catch limits.

Oct. 14: Locke indicates a willingness to comply if there is "sufficient economic and sound scientific data available."

See the entire timeline from the Standard-Times.