Mystic -- State Sen. Heather Somers, R-18th District, will hold a public forum and panel discussion about the challenges facing the state’s commercial fishermen, along with a viewing of the film “Fishing Wars; Drowning in Regulations” on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mystic Art Theatre in Olde Mistick Village.

The panel will include Somers, local commercial fisherman and various officials.

“Our local fishermen’s livelihood is critically threatened by overreaching regulations created by Washington bureaucrats who in many cases have never stepped foot on a fishing vessel,” said Somers. “Commercial fishing has been an integral part of Southeastern Connecticut’s way of life since before there were colonies. Local families going back generations have worked the sea to provide fresh seafood and feed the Eastern seaboard. These small proud family businesses are now on the verge of closing forever. I am looking forward to this panel discussion so that we can bring awareness to the problem, listen to first-hand experiences and work together to take steps to remedy it and help fishermen prosper in our state again. I want to encourage residents in Southeastern Connecticut to come to this free, open forum event.”

For more information, please contact Erika Pocock at (800) 842-1421.