Press Releases
February 18, 2003
The California Fish and Game Commission took unprecedented action today to protect overfished rockfish populations and preserve ocean habitat by voting unanimously to close the destructive spot prawn... Read More
February 3, 2003
Oceana Urges White House and Congress to Protect 75 Percent of the Planet
As the White House lays out its priorities for the nation when it releases its budget , Oceana, a leading environmental advocacy group, called on President Bush and... Read More
January 27, 2003
Oceana Works To Stop Cruise Ship Pollution
Today, Oceana launches a week-long media tour in three cities - Washington, New York and Boston - to continue raising awareness about cruise ship pollution. The campaign to... Read More
January 15, 2003
On Monday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals supported Oceana's contention that citizens have a formal right to participate in annual fishery management decisions of the National Marine... Read More
January 10, 2003
Oceana Begins Campaign Against Harmful Fishing Methods
Oceana this month launched its “Endangered Seas” campaign against scallop dredging, bottom trawling and other destructive fishing methods. The campaign, one of three Oceana is waging this year,... Read More
December 20, 2002
The California Fish and Game Commission rejected a proposal today to stop the spot prawn bottom trawling fishery from destroying ocean habitat and harming overfished rockfish populations. The... Read More
December 19, 2002
NMFS Ordered to Better Manage, Protect Ocean Resources
requires. This failure is fatal to the 2001 BiOp.” Court Order at page 33.
“The Court concludes that the 2001 BiOp's finding of no adverse modification of critical habitat and no jeopardy to the continued existence of Steller sea lions is arbitrary and capricious because the necessary analysis of the impact of the [fishing plan] on Steller sea lions, their prey, and their critical habitat was not performed.” Court Order at pages 33-34.
“We challenged the 2001 BiOp because NMFS approved a plan with weaker protections, sponsored by the industry, without adequately looking at the impact on sea lions. In yesterday's ruling, the Court said this was illegal,” said de Fontaubert.
“We must do a better job of understanding and protecting our oceans' resources otherwise we are all in jeopardy,” said Ayers of Oceana. “We hope NMFS realizes that by bringing people together to resolve these problems, we can do so without litigation.”
The plaintiffs said they would work to ensure that NMFS completes the work necessary to analyze fishing impacts on Steller sea lions, their habitat, and other marine resources. “The court gave the agency a blueprint for complying with the Endangered Species Act. We hope the agency will follow it, and that this long-running litigation can come to an end,” said Janis Searles, staff attorney with Earthjustice.
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