PORTLAND – Maine’s commercial fishermen teamed up with political leaders Monday to oppose new fish conservation rules that some say could be the industry’s death knell in the state.

About 100 fishermen, fish processors and other seafood industry workers joined city officials at the Portland Fish Exchange to denounce the proposed rules on Monday afternoon.

Hours later, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution saying the future of the Fish Exchange and the fishing industry are in jeopardy. The resolution called on citizens and state and federal lawmakers to fight the rules by all legal and appropriate means.

The rules, collectively known as Amendment 13, are intended to cut the catch of cod, haddock, flounder and other groundfish so that most species return to historic levels within 10 years. A federal judge ordered the government to impose the cutbacks by next May to comply with deadlines set by Congress.

Maine’s fishing industry is unusually unified in its opposition, arguing that the state would be at a disadvantage against businesses in other coastal states. That’s because it takes more time to reach offshore fishing grounds to the south and bring catches back to the Portland Fish Exchange.

Last month, the Fish Exchange announced that one of its top producing boats is now unloading fish in Gloucester, Mass., and that others are likely to follow, especially if fishing days are cut further.

Members of the industry said Monday that the Fish Exchange and other businesses might be forced to close as the boats go elsewhere.

Hank Soule, manager of the Fish Exchange, said the proposed rules could eliminate 3,400 jobs and as much as $250 million in revenue throughout New England.

“Fishermen support rules,” Soule said. “What we don’t support is regulation that will nearly eliminate Maine’s inshore and offshore harvesters, and the firms that support them, for minimal gain.”

Lendall Alexander, a fisherman who brings his catch to the Fish Exchange, said, “I refuse to believe that it was Congress’ intent to ruin an industry to reach our goal of fully rebuilt fish stocks a few years sooner.”

This month, Gov. John Baldacci announced a new state task force to come up with ideas on how to preserve and strengthen the fishery.

The 12-member panel is scheduled to submit interim recommendations in November and another report by February, in time for the Legislature to consider changes in state law during the 2004 legislative session.

Maine’s congressional delegation has lobbied on behalf of the industry, although it is increasingly clear there will be no last-minute federal law to extend or erase the existing regulatory deadlines. Such a legislative amendment apparently would have little support outside New England.

The New England Fishery Management Council must decide how to achieve the cutbacks. Members will hold two public hearings next week in Maine, where they are expected to encounter well-organized opposition to all of the alternatives.