Hundreds of Northwest Florida fisherman joined more than 6,000 people who rallied in the nation's capitol today, demanding relaxed fishing regulations. They say current federal catch limits use flawed data, and are threatening their livelihood. The group found some allies in Washington.

"Don't rely on a bureaucrat, get on a boat in Panama City Florida and let's go fishing," said Sen. George LeMieux, (R) FL, from the podium on Wednesday. He joined thousands who gathered in Washington D.C. to stage a protest. Their goal was to attract attention to current federal fishing regulations which have shortened the season for several popular species in Florida and across the country. "Rebuilding our fisheries is important, but we've got to start caring as much about our fisherman as we do about our fish," said Rep. Charles Shumer, (D) NY.

They'd like to see the government to loosen the regulations. Local fisherman who traveled to D.C. say they now have faith that will happen. "We feel like we've accomplished everything we set out to do. Time will tell. We clearly have the attention of congress on this. Everybody that got up and spoke said they were going to help us fix things," said local charter boat captain Bob Zales.

They say fisherman from almost every coastal state in the nation, organizing for this cause, has sent a strong message. "We are going to give you flexibility so that boats aren't tied to docks because of bureaucrats in Washington," said Schumer. "Today's event was a historical event. It was the first time these people have ever come together to work toward common goals. This is the beginning of a new era."

Senator LeMieux is a co-sponsor of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009.