US: Federal judge dismisses Bering Sea trawl fleet’s challenge to stricter halibut bycatch limits

Published 2024년 11월 16일

Tridge summary

A federal judge in Alaska has dismissed a legal challenge by the Bering Sea bottom-trawl fleet against stricter halibut bycatch limits. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council approved a new halibut bycatch quota system based on annual surveys, which can reduce bycatch caps by up to 35% when halibut stocks are low. The lawsuit, filed by a Seattle-based trade association representing the fleet, argued that the new limits could lead to significant economic losses and could halt trawling for other flatfish. The judge held that the new limits were reasonably calculated and did not violate federal laws, pleaseasing the Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association.

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Original content

A federal judge in Alaska has dismissed a legal challenge filed by the Bering Sea bottom-trawl fleet against stricter halibut bycatch limits. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, or NMFS, approved a new halibut bycatch quota system in December 2021 based on annual surveys of the valuable flatfish. Instead of fixed limits, the new abundance-based system means that when halibut stocks are low, bycatch caps can be cut by up to 35%. The lawsuit challenging those caps was filed by Groundfish Forum, Inc., a Seattle-based trade association representing five companies and 19 bottom-trawl vessels. The association argued that it was unfairly targeted, and that the new bycatch limits could result in significant economic losses. Bycatch is a lightning-rod issue in Alaska. Halibut stocks have declined, and the amount of halibut discarded by the Bering Sea bottom-trawl fleet has often exceeded the number of fish caught by hook-and-line fishermen. In their complaint, the bottom-trawl ...

Source: Adn