Press Releases
February 1, 2021
. . . set the [catch] limit for an indefinite period of time without a mechanism to respond to significant changes in anchovy abundance, even though the best scientific information available established that anchovy population fluctuations are common and extreme. Given this backdrop, it was at minimum arbitrary and capricious for the NMFS to fail to consider whether the [catch limits] would still prevent overfishing, especially given that the anchovy population will fluctuate again in the future.” Yet, in its latest rule, the Fisheries Service once again allowed the anchovy fishery to catch 25,000 metric tons of fish per year, regardless of whether the population is high or verging on collapse.
“It’s déjà vu all over again,” said Dr. Geoff Shester, California Campaign Director and Senior Scientist for Oceana. “Despite anchovy’s importance, and available state-of-the-art acoustic survey methods and data to manage anchovy responsibly, the Fisheries Service stubbornly chooses to ignore court orders and puts forth the same irresponsible and arbitrary catch limit rule over and over again. Then they pass the buck to their advisory body — the Pacific Fishery Management Council — to solve the problem while simultaneously advising them not to act. The science is clear and so is the law: setting unchanging catch limits for a boom-and-bust population like anchovy by cherry picking data from the ‘boom’ years is reckless and shortsighted, which is what forced us into the courts four years ago. Fishing communities and local economies rely on abundant populations of anchovy and other forage fish as critical food for larger fish like salmon as well as whales, sea lions and other ocean wildlife that bring tourism dollars to our coasts. We’re hoping that as a new administration looks to restore a science-based approach by its agencies they finally implement rational management of anchovy off the U.S. West Coast to increase the resilience of our oceans in the face of climate change.”
“It’s time to restore common sense, science, and the rule of law — all of which the new Biden administration seems to be trying to do,” said Earthjustice attorney Andrea Treece. “In the meantime, we’re asking the Court to stop the Fisheries Service’s endless loop of relying on the same outdated science and recycling the same, failed “set it and forget it” management approach the Court has twice struck down. Repeating the same absurd thing over and over was a funny plot device for the movie “Groundhog Day,” but it’s a lousy way to manage a fish that supports the entire West Coast ecosystem. It’s time for the Fisheries Service to snap out of it and take its responsibilities — and the Court’s orders — seriously.”
For more information about Oceana’s campaign to secure responsible management for anchovy and the history of Oceana’s litigation, click here.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world’s wild fish catch. With over 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit usa.oceana.org to learn more
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.https://earthjustice.org/
" words="20" link="https://usa.oceana.org/press-releases/oceana-files-new-legal-actions-protect-anchovy-ocean-wildlife-fisheries-service-again/"]January 4, 2021
Trump Veto Kills Bill that Would Save Endangered Whales and Sea Turtles
President Trump vetoed the bi-partisan Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act (S. 906/H.R. 9179), led by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)... Read More
November 16, 2020
Salmon Fishery Measures Adopted to Help Save Critically Endangered Killer Whales
The Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously adopted new ocean salmon fishing regulations today to help save critically endangered Southern Resident... Read More
October 30, 2020
November Decisions Critical to Future of Iconic Orcas
Contact: Ben Enticknap, Oceana Pacific Campaign Manager & Senior Scientist at 503.329.4465 or benticknap@oceana.org The welcome news of two Southern Resident calves... Read More
October 26, 2020
New Crab Fishing Rules Will Help Save Endangered Whales and Sea Turtles
Today the California Department of Fish and Wildlife published final regulations to reduce entanglements of endangered humpback whales, blue whales... Read More
October 19, 2020
Federal Court Rules NOAA Must Improve Oversight of Sea Turtle Interactions in U.S. Shrimp Fisheries
A federal court has ruled in favor of Oceana that NOAA Fisheries has failed to meet the requirements of the... Read More
October 15, 2020
Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Corals Now Protected from Destructive Fishing
NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule today to protect 13 coral areas from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Florida Keys,... Read More
