ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Many fishermen say restricting commercial harvests in the western Aleutians to help the endangered Steller sea lion will put them out of business.

"People are important too. Sea lions are important. Let's get the balance right," Matt Doherty of United States Seafoods told a North Pacific Fisheries Management Council hearing. His company has a fleet of seven fishing vessels in the Aleutians.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the hearing Thursday in Anchorage was the last meeting before the council makes its recommendation to federal regulators.

The National Marine Fisheries Service wants to end commercial fishing for Atka mackerel and Pacific cod near Attu and to limit fishing for mackerel and cod in the central Aleutians west of Dutch Harbor. The goal is to limit competition between fishermen and sea lions seeking food.

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