GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- Hundreds of fishermen from the Northeast have gathered in Gloucester to rally against what they say are "unrealistic" regulations and "dysfunctional" management.

Some carrying signs that said "Let Fishermen Fish" and "Stop Underfishing" protested Friday in front of the New England headquarters of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Jay Driscoll of Rye Harbor, Maine, said the new system has unfairly allocated the amount of fish he can catch and will wipe about the region's small boat fleet.

The rally comes as fishermen prepare for a switch to a "sector" management system, in which those working in groups divide and manage an allotted catch.

Rally organizers say they want an independent review of how the switch will affect them economically.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)