NARRAGANSETT, RI – Rhode Island commercial fishermen are pushing back against new federal catch limits proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that they say will devastate the state's fishing industry and cost hundreds of jobs in coastal communities already struggling with economic challenges.

The proposed limits, which would reduce allowable catches of groundfish species including cod, flounder, and haddock by up to 40% over the next five years, are based on stock assessments that fishermen dispute. They argue that the assessments undercount fish populations and that the proposed cuts are far more severe than the science justifies.

"These regulations will put us out of business," said Captain John Souza, a third-generation fisherman from Point Judith who has been fishing Rhode Island waters for 35 years. "We've already been through decades of cutbacks. There's nothing left to cut. If these regulations go through, the Rhode Island fishing industry is finished."

The Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen's Association has filed formal comments opposing the proposed limits and has retained legal counsel to challenge the regulations if they are finalized.

"We're not opposed to science-based management," said David Borden, executive director of the association. "We're opposed to bad science being used to justify regulations that will destroy our industry."

The Trump administration has signaled a more skeptical approach to federal environmental regulations, and fishing industry advocates are hopeful that the new administration will be more receptive to their concerns.

Rhode Island's fishing industry contributes approximately $400 million annually to the state's economy and supports thousands of jobs in coastal communities. The industry has already been significantly reduced by decades of federal regulations, with the number of commercial fishing vessels operating out of Rhode Island ports declining by more than 60% since the 1980s.