Bering Sea trawl fleet files lawsuit over new halibut bycatch limits in the US

Published 2023년 12월 22일

Tridge summary

A trade association representing the Bering Sea bottom-trawl fleet has filed a lawsuit against the new halibut bycatch limits, arguing they are unfair and unlawful, and could result in drastic economic consequences. The lawsuit was filed in response to the new limits, which are set to go into effect on Jan. 1, by Groundfish Forum, which represents five companies and 17 bottom-trawl vessels. Surveys indicate that halibut stocks off the coast of Alaska have declined over the past 15 years, and while federal fisheries managers say that reduced bycatch levels may see additional halibut harvests, the International Pacific Halibut Commission projects further declines of spawning females.

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Original content

A trade association representing the Bering Sea bottom-trawl fleet filed a lawsuit this week in federal court, arguing that new halibut bycatch limits are unfair and unlawful. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council in December 2021 approved a new halibut bycatch quota system based on annual surveys of the valuable flatfish. Instead of the current fixed limits, a new abundance-based system means that when halibut stocks are low, bycatch caps could be cut by up to 35%. Based in Washington state, Groundfish Forum — representing five companies and 17 bottom-trawl vessels — sued the National Marine Fisheries Service on Tuesday in response to the new limits, which are set to go into effect Jan. 1. Attorneys argue that the trawl fleet was unfairly singled out by the new rules that could result in “drastic economic consequences.” The Bering Sea bottom-trawl fleet made an average of $334 million in total annual revenue between 2015 and 2020, according to the lawsuit. The fleet ...

Source: Adn