WASHINGTON — March 22, 2012 — There were more people at the fishermen's rally here two years ago — perhaps twice as many as the 2,000 or so solid souls who made it to the Capitol.
Vito Giacalone, the Gloucester-based industry leader and fisherman who serves as policy director with the Northeast Seafood Coalition, said many fishermen were working in the unseasonably inviting weather.
But while they were fewer in number, those who took in the "Keep Fishermen Fishing" event were stronger in passion, volume and anger.
"This is about getting NOAA out of your boat and out of your baitbox," Congressman Frank Lobiondo, a New Jersey Democrat, told a crowd that came from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Maryland, Georgia, Alaska, California, Oregon and maybe more.
Some of the states had particular grievances, with the mix of recreational and commercial fishing interests morphing into unique mixes port to port, region to region, all with special needs.
Some protesters were mad at the proposals to fix the mess, mad at their colleagues for not fighting as hard as they might, mad at those who didn't show.
"This is about freedom," shouted Congressman Allen West, a Florida Democrat with a gospel preacher's voice. "Fishing law has been hijacked by extreme environmentalists."
The crowd roared.
The enthusiasm peaked with Gloucester's state Sen. Bruce Tarr recounting how his former colleague and now U.S. Sen. Scott Brown had "asked for Dr. Lubchenco to be removed."
Then Sen. Brown got up and did it all over again, reprising his now famous question. "What does it take to get fired at NOAA?" he asked as the fishermen chanted "No more Jane."
Retiring Congressman Barney Frank began reasoning that all voters should insist that their candidates vote "to get rid of the 10-year period" now imposed to fully restore overfished stocks. It is that deadline that pushed the catch share system championed by NOAA chief Jane Lubchenco.
"So when we come back next year it will be to celebrate, not to agitate," Frank said to a round of cheers. "How fast fish have sex is not a great environmental issue."
Read the complete story in the Gloucester Daily Times