Watermen and farmers have filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to over turn new regulations that reduce the Menhaden quota.
Captain Robert Newberry, a spokesman for the group, told WBOC that he believes the Chesapeake Bay should not be regulated like the Atlantic Ocean.
The cut in the quota is the result of the state seeking federal grant money.
Meanwhile, the Maryland Attorney General issued a statement last yesterday saying that the new rules are lawful.
It also warned that violating the law would have potentially grave consequences.
But Newberry said the new quotas are unfair with Virginia getting 600 million pounds and Maryland receiving only 5.3 million.
No court date has been set.
