GLOUCESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Cod is a big source of income for fishermen in Massachusetts, but the federal government says fishermen off the coast of Cape Ann must stay away from the popular fish.
For more than 40 years, since he was 6 years old, Joe Orlando has been a fisherman.
"My whole family's done it. My grandfather's done it, my father's done it. I brought my kids into doing it," Orlando said.
But with new federal fishing regulations announced, Joe says a 4-generation family tradition will come to an end.
"It's all over! I'm done. My career has finally come to an end," he said. "It's emotional. I feel like crying."
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, is expanding no fishing zones and limiting fishermen up to 200 pounds on a single trip. Orlando's used to catching 700 to 2,500 pounds a day. And after the zone expansion, his boat is too small to make it into the allowable fishing zones, which are now further offshore.
"And now I'm left with nothing. I just threw it all away," he said.
Like many fishermen, Orlando saved his yearly catch limit for cod for the end of the year when prices are better. Now he tells us he's out at least $150,000.
Joe is not alone. Russel Sherman a 43-year fisherman says he's losing at least $50,000 to $60,000.
"It's gonna drive one of the final nails in the coffin as a matter of fact," he said.
NOAA claims cod fish are at an all time low and this has to be done to be done to restore population.
State Senator Bruce Tarr says there needs to be a more balanced solution.
"I've never seen anything this extreme and frankly I don't know how anyone survives this in the port of Gloucester," Tarr said.
In addition, he says it will effect the consumer too.
"It hurts their access to a product we know and trust number 1 number 2 it means we wont have access to a fresh product a healthy product and a wholesome product that comes from our waters."
"I mean I'm 60 years old," Sherman said. "The only thing I know is fishing. I don't know anything else."
The new restrictions are expected to last until May of 2015. Many fishermen say they are planning to band together and go speak in front of Congress.