The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking public comments on the Work Plan of the Interagency Working Group on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing. The agency is accepting comments until January 15, 2021.
NMFS Seeks Input on Work Plan for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing
Florida Governor Signs Shark Finning Bill
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Senate Bill 680, the Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act, into law. The law limits the import and sale of shark fins to those commercial entities with existing permits and requires that the state conduct a sustainability study on shark finning in Florida.
Government Violated Magnuson Stevens Act with Anchovy Fishing Limit
A California judge has ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration violated the Magnuson Stevens Act when it approved a fishing limit for anchovies with an indefinite time frame instead of considering the best and most recent science.
FWS Opens National Wildlife Refuges to Hunting and Fishing
The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule opening eight National Wildlife Refuges for the first time and re-opening or expanding 89 other National Wildlife Refuges to hunting and sport fishing. The rule is effective immediately.
FWS Opens National Wildlife Refuges to Hunting and Fishing
The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a final rule opening eight National Wildlife Refuges for the first time and re-opening or expanding 89 other National Wildlife Refuges to hunting and sport fishing. The rule is effective immediately.
NMFS Seeks Information on Illegal, Unreported, or Unregulated Fishing
The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking information on nations whose vessels are engaging in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing, bycatch of protection living marine resources, and fishing activities in waters beyond national jurisdiction that target or incidentally catch sharks. The agency is collecting information until December 31, 2020.
Groups Challenge Trump’s Rescission of Fishing Ban in Marine Monument
Groups including the Conservation Law Foundation, National Resources Defense Council, and the Center for Biological Diversity have filed suit against the Trump administration, challenging the President’s rescission of a fishing ban in a marine monument off the coast of Cape Cod.
Groups Challenge Government Over Failure to Sanction Mexico for Illegal Fishing
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Animal Welfare Institute have filed suit against the Department of Interior for failing to respond to a 2014 petition seeking increased sanctions against Mexico for turning a blind eye to illegal fishing operations that further threaten the vaquita, an endangered porpoise.
Federal Magistrate Says Groups Too Late Stop Salmon Fishing
A federal magistrate has ruled that Wild Fish Conservancy’s bid for an injunction to halt commercial salmon fishing off the coast of Alaska was lodged too late. The request arose out of a lawsuit challenging the government’s decision to allow fishing on the basis that it threatened the local endangered orca whale population.
Trump Lifts Fishing Restrictions in Marine Monument
President Trump has lifted a fishing ban in a marine monument about 130 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.