PORTLAND (AP) – The New England Fishery Management Council on Wednesday delayed consideration of a proposal that would further reduce the number of days at sea for fishermen.

During a meeting in Portland, the panel discussed a proposal that would reduce the number of days at sea by up to 70 percent next year. Critics including Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe say those cuts would decimate the New England fishing fleet, which is already struggling.

“The proposals being considered by the council would have destroyed the hope to which fishermen have clung while their life’s work has been whittled away. These proposals would have whittled it away to nothing,” said Snowe, ranking member on the subcommittee on oceans, atmosphere, fisheries and Coast Guard.

Adjustments are required in 2009, the midway point of a 10-year management plan known as Amendment 13. But critics say the National Marine Fisheries Service has not completed its stock assessment on which the adjustments are supposed to be made.

In the end, the panel voted 11-1 to delay consideration of fishing reduction efforts until it receives the final 2008 assessment.

AP-ES-06-04-08 1720EDT