Consultations over the creation of special protection areas around Land's End and The Lizard ended last February.
But Newlyn fisherman Jake Freethy says the zones will be the latest obstacle facing fishermen looking to make a living wage.
Excluded
The Government-backed project polled stakeholders and ocean-users over plans to create marine reserves where human impact on rare habitats could be limited.
Natural England, which is behind the initiative, wants these areas to flourish, meaning restrictions will be placed on who and how they are used.
But fears are rising that the sanctuaries will see skippers excluded from areas of prime fishing, placing the future of small working boats at risk.
Mr Freethy told The Cornishman: "They are killing us, smothering us with rules and regulations. They will kill the small man with the small boat, leaving the big firms to carry on. I'm skippering this boat, with all this money that's gone into it, and getting told what and where to fish. It's the Government's policies – they seem to be against us."
Natural England's site recommendations will be submitted to Defra in June for consideration by the cabinet. Included are the two areas used regularly by Newlyn boats.
The Government is committed to have the special zones of conservation in place by the end of 2012.
As a gillnetter, Mr Freethy fears that he may not be able to work in spots which he has fished for years and, if the policies go ahead, feels it will have a negative effect on those using drag-gear and pots.
He said: "I feel as though they are trying to put the under 10-metre fisherman out of business, it could happen because they won't have the opportunity to work those areas."
For Mr Freethy this, following the under 10 metre quota system and numerous other interventions, is the final straw.
"What is the Government going to do to help us, what will be done to compensate us for losing these areas?" he added.
"Finding Sanctuary, the Marine Conservation Society and Natural England are going to turn the sea into a zoo.
Valuable
"I love my job and I love living in Cornwall, fishing is still a very valuable profession," he said, "and it will be a shame if we allow it to die."
Of 124 public responses to the plans across the South West, 25 concerned Land's End and Lizard Point. They are being considered along with additional scientific data before a final decision is reached.
A spokesman for Natural England said: "Lizard Point and Land's End and Cape Bank are two sites that have been identified by Natural England as having some of the best examples of reefs in England, and therefore potentially qualify as Special Areas of Conservation."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN