Maine fishermen protesting new federal rules designed to allow groundfish stocks to recover are right about one thing: It will be even harder for all of them to make a living next year.

But it's not because the new rules are unfair or that they will favor big operators over fishing families. It's because, even now, there are too many boats and too few fish for them to catch.

The new rules, which are scheduled to take effect on May 1, would scrap the old rationing system, which limited a boat's days at sea, for a new one that allocates an allowable catch to a geographical area, or sector, and gives local fishermen a share. Fishermen would be given more flexibility concerning when they go out, and they will have more accountability as well. The whole sector is expected to monitor the collective catch and could be shut down if one boat exceeds its allowable catch.

The new rules would coincide with a steep reduction in the amount of fish that can be caught, leading, the protestors say, to a shakedown in the industry, where small independent fishermen will not be able to compete.

That may be true, but it's difficult to see what could prevent that outcome while giving the fish stocks a chance to rebuild. The days-at-sea approach has not worked, either for the fish or the fishermen, so change is inevitable.

There has already been a significant decline in the number of boats in Maine, dropping from about 350 just 15 years ago to fewer than 75 today. If the old system were to stay in place, the surviving boats would be allocated as few as a dozen days at sea for the entire year, which would also drive more boats out of the business.

"It's tough and people are almost at the end of their rope and it's not because of any new management plan, it's that they can't find enough fish to catch," said Glen Libby of Port Clyde, a fishing boat owner and member of the New England Fisheries Management Council. "Yeah, there's probably going to be a big shakeout, but we're pretty well shook out here in Maine already."

The point of the rules, ultimately, is bringing back the cod, haddock, flounder and other groundfish. If that is not successful, these years of hardship for the industry will have been a waste.

There are ways to help the fishermen that should not interfere with the goal of supporting the fish regeneration. For instance, the state plans to use $1 million in federal money to buy fish permits, which can cost between $100,000 to $500,000 each, and distribute the fish quotas to surviving Maine boats.

In the long run, what will help the fishermen is helping the fish now. Some may not like it, but the rules are designed primarily to protect fish, not the fleet, and they should be given a chance to work.