Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, v. National Marine Fisheries Service, and Taylor Shellfish Company
A Native American tribe has agreed to drop a years-long challenge of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) approvals of shellfish aquaculture and harvesting in the State of Washington, according to a joint stipulation for dismissal [pdf attached: Swinomish Dismissal]. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community previously argued that NMFS violated the Endangered Species Act by approving shellfish aquaculture activities in portions of Puget Sound that the tribe claims provide key habitat for multiple endangered species. Details behind the tribe’s decision to suddenly dismiss the case are not currently available. The tribe is represented by Earthjustice and the Office of the Tribal Attorney.
[To accompany Federal Court Case Law Update "Swinomish Tribe Agrees to Dismiss Lawsuit Against NMFS" from Brooks Animal Law Digest Issue No. 149.]