US: Massachusetts lobstermen sue NOAA over restricted fishing area

Published 2024년 2월 15일

Tridge summary

The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) is suing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over proposed permanent area closures designed to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale. The MLA claims these closures, including the Massachusetts Restricted Area Wedge, are illegal under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023, which gave the U.S. lobster fishery a six-year reprieve on new rules. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Defense Council disputes the Maine lobster industry's claims that its fishing gear has never been linked to the death of these whales, asserting that entanglements do occur in Maine waters.

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Original content

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 ...

Source: Seafoodsource