US: Massachusetts lobstermen sue NOAA over restricted fishing area

The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) has launched a new lawsuit against NOAA over proposed permanent area closures related to protecting the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, soon after the Maine lobster industry scored a court win over NOAA rules. The MLA submitted its lawsuit on 9 February, claiming NOAA’s plan to permanently close the Massachusetts Restricted Area Wedge – and include the wedge in the Massachusetts Restricted Area annually from 1 February to 30 April – is unlawful under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023. The MLA called the move a “continuation of NOAA’s unlawful conduct” in a press release about the issue.“We refuse to stand by while NOAA unlawfully jeopardizes our livelihoods,” the MLA said. “We have reached a breaking point, and we will not tolerate any further unjust attacks on our industry. Enough is enough!”The CAA granted the U.S. lobster fishery a six-year reprieve on new rules to the fishery by deeming the ...