With climate change impacting our waters and some key fish populations on the verge of collapse, New England’s fisheries are at a crossroads.
October 5, 2026 (Boston, MA) – The U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will not take up Thompson v. Wilson, a case determining if fisheries managers are allowed to require electronic vessel trackers on federally permitted lobster fishing vessels. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) previously filed an amicus brief in this case, on behalf of itself and Ocean Conservancy, arguing that it’s legal and vital to track lobster boats to ensure strong, effective management of the lobster fishery.
“New England’s lobster population has declined dangerously,” said CLF Associate Attorney Sarah Shahabi. “Tracking lobster boats provides the timely and accurate data that regulators need. This decision is a valuable step toward appropriately managing this iconic species.”
The First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that electronic trackers can be required on federally permitted lobster vessels. Opponents of the data tracking asked the Supreme Court to take up the case, but that request was denied.
Climate change is warming the Gulf of Maine about three times faster than the world’s ocean on average, forcing lobster to migrate and disrupting the region’s delicate web of life. Strong, data-based policies are necessary to protect both lobster and the lobster industry.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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