By Dan Corcoran
EUGENE, Ore. -- A protest in downtown Eugene Thursday was aiming to get the attention of Representative Peter DeFazio to push for better protections for oceans and local fishermen.
The group Food and Water Watch held signs and gave speeches in a rainy Ken Kesey Square Thursday afternoon.
The group opposes the implementation of catch-share programs, because they believe the programs could devastate local fishing communities and threaten the ocean's ecosystems through privatization.
The group says catch-share programs being pushed forward by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have the potential to push smaller-scale fisherman out of their own industry by giving more control to larger fishing companies.
DeFazio's office has yet to respond to the group's requests for direct action.
