Conservation Law Foundation Applauds U.S. First Circuit of Appeals Decision Affirming Legality of New England’s Groundfish Management Plan

Victory for Science-Based Approach to Managing and Rebuilding Severely Depleted Fish Stocks

CONTACT:
Karen Wood, CLF, (617) 850-1722 

BOSTON, MA  November 29, 2012 – On Wednesday, November 28, the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court decision affirming the legality of Amendment 16 to the Northeast Groundfish Management Plan. In response, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) issued the following statement from Peter Shelley, senior counsel:

“New England fishermen, government agencies and environmental organizations all understand that the future of the groundfish fishery is hanging in the balance,” said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel, Conservation Law Foundation. “Yesterday’s ruling by the First Circuit unequivocally affirms the science and data-based approach to managing the fishery that is the only way we will ever achieve our common goal of restoring this iconic industry and our fishing communities to health. The desire for short-term fixes that address real hardship among some in those communities is understandable. But we can’t get to a better future by undermining the law Congress put in place to fix the problem over the long-term. That law and the diligent efforts of everyone who worked hard to develop the current groundfish plan are the foundations for restoring New England’s groundfish fishery. The Court was right to uniformly reject the misguided political efforts to destroy that effort. We need to now focus our attention on making sure this plan does what it was intended to do and restore prosperity to this region’s fisheries.”

Conservation Law Foundation intervened in July, 2010 on the side of the federal government in the lawsuit brought by the Cities of Gloucester and New Bedford challenging new regulations governing the New England fishing industry. In July, 2011, District Court Judge Rya Zobel had similarly denied the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment in the case, upholding the regulations.

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. Using the law, science and the market, CLF creates solutions that preserve natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy region-wide. Founded in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

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