January 10, 2010 – (Saving Seafood) – Another high profile case has been filed against the National Marine Fisheries Service as the Alaska Seafood Cooperative, joined by other seafood organizations, has filed suit over the January 1 closing of fishing Area 543.
NMFS justifies the closing with claims that commercial fishing in the area, primarily for Pacific cod and Atka mackerel, has an adverse effect on the Steller sea lion population. Critics of this position point to the lack of science explaining the true relationship between fishing and Steller sea lion numbers.
In a January 3 letter to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Governor Christine O. Gregoire of Washington weighed in on the issue. While remaining loyal to the Endangered Species Act, which NMFS evokes as a reason for the closing, Gov. Gregoire is concerned that “there was very little time for those who were most directly impacted by the decision to review [the draft Biological Opinion] and provide comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including views on whether the full suite of science had been considered and relied upon in its formulation.”
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell filed suit against NMFS on December 14, 2010. According to his press release, “As many as 900 people are employed by fishing fleets in the area facing restrictions. NMFS acknowledges that implementation of its decision would cost fishery losses of up to $66 million annually.”
According to the same press release, Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell echoed Gov Gregoire’s concerns, saying, “We are very disturbed about the lack of meaningful public process.”