Lobster Industry Sues Monterey Bay Aquarium

March 17, 2023

2 mins read

The lawsuit alleges that the foundation’s recommendation, which placed the lobster on its “red list” of seafood, falsely portrays lobster fishing as a threat to whales and is false & defamatory. The “red list” distinction caused some stores & restaurants to no longer sell lobster caught in Maine, & the Marine Stewardship Council, another major seafood guide, also suspended the Maine lobster industry’s sustainability certification due to concerns for the whales. The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for the value of all business plaintiffs have lost or will lose in the future.

Last year, Seafood Watch, the conservation program, operated by the foundation, put lobster from the U S & Canada on its list of seafood to avoid due to the threat posed to rare whales by entanglement in the fishing gear used to harvest American lobster, the species that make up most of the theUS lobster market. The lawsuit alleges that the recommendations rely on bad science, & that portraying the Maine lobster industry as a threat to whales is false & defamatory. The “red list” distinction caused some stores & restaurants to no longer sell lobster caught in Maine, & the Marine Stewardship Council, another major seafood guide, also suspended the Maine lobster industry’s sustainability certification due to concerns for the whales. The lawsuit is seeking unspecified monetary damages for the value of all business plaintiffs have lost or lost in the future.

The North Atlantic right whales are endangered, & only an estimated 340 are left in the world. The lawsuit argues that lobster fishing is not a threat to the whales,& the lobstermen are responsible stewards of the ocean. About 98 million pounds of lobster were brought to the docks last year, & the lawsuit is arguing that bad science is behind the “red list” classification. The impact of the lawsuit is not only altering the economic consequences for lobstermen & their communities, but it has a devastating effect on the state of Maine. The lawsuit ignores the extensive evidence that these fisheries pose a serious risk to the survival of the endangered North Atlantic right whale, &seeks to curtail the First Amendment rights of a beloved institution that educates the public about the importance of a healthy ocean, says the Monterey Bay AquariumFoundation.

Govind Tekale

Embarking on a new journey post-retirement, Govind, once a dedicated teacher, has transformed his enduring passion for current affairs and general knowledge into a conduit for expression through writing. His historical love affair with reading, which borders on addiction, has evolved into a medium to articulate his thoughts and disseminate vital information. Govind pens down his insights on a myriad of crucial topics, including the environment, wildlife, energy, sustainability, and health, weaving through every aspect that is quintessential for both our existence and that of our planet. His writings not only mirror his profound understanding and curiosity but also serve as a valuable resource, offering a deep dive into issues that are critical to our collective future and well-being.

Latest from Ocean

Representative Image. Cruise Ship Pollution. Photo Source: George Desipris

Cruise Ship Pollution Includes Sewage, Gray Water, Microplastics, and Chemical Discharge at Sea

Entertainment has found a new medium – cruise ship tours around the world. But there is a problem created by these tours. That is cruise ship waste dumping in the sea. The

Representative Image: There is not only a lot of plastic waste floating in the oceans, which is washed up on beaches around the world, but also large quantities of microplastics. Photo Source: Christopher Politano/Pexels.com

Oceans Absorb 15% of Airborne Microplastics, Challenging Previous Beliefs

New research has flipped our understanding of how microplastics move through our environment. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology have discovered that oceans capture microplastics from the air rather than

1 Trillion Ton Iceberg A23a Grinds to a Halt Near South Georgia: Scientists Warn of Ecosystem Shifts, Fisheries, Penguins at Risk

The colossal Antarctic iceberg A23a, measuring 4,000 km² (twice the size of Greater London) and weighing nearly 1 trillion tonnes, has run aground approximately 90 km from South Georgia Island. This development

Biden Bans Drilling Across 625M Acres of U.S. Waters, Protecting $80B Coastal Economy and Marine Life

President Biden has permanently banned new oil and gas drilling across vast stretches of U.S. coastal waters, protecting over 625 million acres from future development. The move affects the entire East Coast,

Watersheds on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard will be among the areas most affected by underground saltwater intrusion by the year 2100 due to sea level rise and changes in groundwater supplies, according to a NASA-DOD study. NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image on April 21, 2023. Credit: NASA

NASA-DOD Study: 77% of Coastal Watersheds to Face Saltwater Intrusion by 2100

A joint NASA-Department of Defense study projects that saltwater intrusion will occur by century’s end in 77% of coastal watersheds evaluated, affecting groundwater systems and ecosystems worldwide. The research indicates that 77%

Coral Reefs Face Extinction as Global Warming Nears 3°C, Scientists Warn Paris Agreement Goals Are Critical for Survival

Marine scientists have revealed that coral reefs face severe risks as ocean warming accelerates beyond their natural adaptation capabilities. A new study published in Science shows that coral survival depends heavily on

Paul Watson Held in Greenland Amid Japan’s 14-Year Extradition Pursuit as Denmark’s Verdict Nears on Dec. 18

The court in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, decided Monday to keep environmental activist Paul Watson in pre-trial detention, pending the Danish government’s decision on Japan’s extradition request

The efforts of the research teams involved in the analysis revealed that the material was composed of a complex mixture of fats, oils, calcium and other metals.

Thousands of Black Sticky Balls Wash Ashore on Sydney Beaches, Containing Toxic Waste from Drugs and PFAS

A multidisciplinary team of scientists has made significant advances in understanding the origins of the mysterious black balls appearing on Sydney’s beaches (Australia). A few weeks ago, thousands of round and sticky

Tens of Meters of Salt Marsh Can Reduce Seawall Heights and Cut Coastal Defense Infrastructure Costs, MIT Research Reveals

MIT,located in Cambridge, is a leading research institution in the USA. This institute of higher learning and innovation is always in the news for its innovative approach to research and its application

NASA Warns: Pacific Islands Like Tuvalu and Kiribati Could See 65+ Flood Days by 2050 With 6-Inch Sea Level Rise

Climate change is rapidly reshaping the Pacific, threatening millions of people who call these islands home. A recent NASA analysis paints a sobering picture for nations like Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji, projecting

Ocean Warming Nearly Doubles in Two Decades: Shocking New Report Reveals Unprecedented Marine Heat

Experts suspected it and now it’s official: the rate of ocean warming has almost doubled since 2005, according to a report from the European observatory Copernicus Marine Service published on Monday, September

Basque Country Deploys 1,000 Smart Buoys to Track Plastic Waste—Find Out What They’re Already Uncovering With Ulysses Project

The oceans are filled with plastic. The Basque Country, an autonomous community of Spain, has started a promising project to curb marine pollution and clean the seas. Technology is often spoken of

Lobster Industry Sues Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation for Defamation