Herring fishermen cautiously optimistic after US Supreme Court hears arguments on at-sea observer requirements

The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), which has been representing commercial fishermen in an ongoing case before the U.S. Supreme Court, expressed cautious optimism that the court would align with their reasoning following oral arguments.“After many years, our clients were finally before a court that seemed disinclined to defer to the agency they have been fighting as to what the law is,” NCLA Senior Litigation Counsel John Veccione said.The case began in 2020 when NOAA Fisheries began requiring some fishermen to pay for at-sea monitors on their vessels out of pocket. Claiming that monitors cost them more than USD 700 (EUR 640) per day, some New Jersey herring fishermen sued the government, arguing that the New England Fishery Management Council did not have legal authority to make them pay for the monitors.“This case has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with protecting the livelihoods of my family and crew,” Plaintiff Bill Bright said. “There are substantial ...