The law introduced last December introduces a charge for fishing in areas that are rented and are designated fishing spots, which runs counter to the idea of most Russians that they can fish for free all over the country. While the idea of the law was to create organised sites where one can rent a boat and equipment, Russia's amateur fisherman fear they will be forced to pay to fish anywhere. About 1,000 people gathered in central Moscow and booed the head of the Federal Fishery Agency Andrei Krainy, who made a surprise appearance at the rally. The protesting fishermen, many of whom responded to a call by a popular fishing newspaper, Rybak Rybaka, deny any political affiliation despite some parties attempting to use them as a political resource, the paper said.