As a result of a successful lawsuit by several environmental and animal organizations, a federal judge today ordered federal fishery managers to issue a new rule for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales no later than May 31, 2021. The Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States sued the federal government for violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by allowing the lobster fishery to operate in a manner known to entangle right whales.
U.S District Court Judge James E. Boasberg also ordered a new ESA-mandated analysis of the American lobster fishery that takes into account the full scope of its harm to right whales. He stopped short of prohibiting lobster fishing with vertical buoy lines in a key right whale feeding area, which the groups had requested as an interim measure.
Judge orders deadline for new North Atlantic right whale protections
U.S District Court Judge James E. Boasberg also ordered a new ESA-mandated analysis of the American lobster fishery that takes into account the full scope of its harm to right whales. He stopped short of prohibiting lobster fishing with vertical buoy lines in a key right whale feeding area, which the groups had requested as an interim measure.
Judge orders deadline for new North Atlantic right whale protections