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174 NE fishermen ask lawmakers for relief

BOSTON (AP) - Fishermen from all over New England have written to 10 U.S. Senators and 14 congressmen asking for urgent help surviving deep and impending cuts to their catch limits.

The letter dated Tuesday was signed by 174 fishermen in ports from Connecticut to Maine. It comes as the industry prepares for May 1 catch reductions that fishermen say could finish off the fleet.

The letter blames the "failure of government policies" for the dire situation, saying the fleet has fished within government-set catch limits on every species.

It asks the lawmakers to enact less drastic cuts, cover the costs of mandated at-sea catch observers and fix what fishermen say is flawed science. It also asks for disaster aid.

The letter ends by warning that for many, "this is probably our last shot at survival."