inputs: hypothesis: French fishermen protest against EU fishing quotas. premise: The fishermen are protesting catch quotas they call too low for them to earn a living. They say they plan to continue blocking the northern French ports indefinitely. The European Union sets annual quotas in an effort to protect and revive dwindling fish stocks. Member countries negotiate each country's share of the total catch. "The immediate opening of supplementary catch quotas, for sole and cod, is vital for the future of small fishermen" in the region, Jacky Henin, former mayor of Calais and a European parliament member, said Wednesday. The French government said it may consider providing financial support to the fishing industry, but called the quotas reasonable.