PHOTOS: D.C. Rally Draws Nationwide Fishing Crowd

For the second year in a row, dozens of East End fishermen and women rode down to Washington, D.C. to tell federal lawmakers that they believe regulations are killing their industry.

According to a Newsday article, New York Sen. Charles Schumer, D, responded by telling the group that he's heard what they're saying, and will work toward easing catch restrictions in a piece of federal legislation that many anglers say are starving them.

Schumer is quoted as saying, "We will go to bat for you and try to get Magnuson Stevens changed once and for all."

Paul Brooke Jr. provided these photos for Patch, and added the following: "If the commercial fishing industry collapses in New York, in particular Montauk, it could be devastating to the summer tourism and restaurant industry whose patrons flock to Montauk for a taste of fresh seafood and to view the boats coming and going from the inlet of Lake Montauk.

"After all, fishing is one of America's greatest past times and has helped to sustain the nations' populations since the founding of our country. It is more of a freedom issue than an environmental issue in many regards because the citizens in the fishing industry are under attack in such as way that will derail their ways of life, families and careers."

Click here to read the entire Newsday article.