The date of a national demonstration by fishing interests in Washington, D.C., has been set for Wednesday, Feb. 24.
Originally scheduled for Feb. 17, the announcement ofthe changed date was made Monday by the Conservation Cooperative ofGulf Fishermen, one of the organizers of the event.
CCGF spokesman Capt. Bob Zales said the change was made because Feb. 17 was discovered to fall during a congressional recess.
The protest has drawn national interest. Along withZales' organization, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, an umbrellagroup representing states' recreational fishing organizations, UnitedBoatsmen of New York and New Jersey as well as the organizers of thecommercial fishermen's protest held in Gloucester in October at theregional offices of the National Marine Fisheries Service are expectedto attend.