Saving Seafood

Oceana loses court appeal challenging Alaska trawling

August 31, 2026 — Environmental NGO Oceana has lost an appeal of its lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated and remanded an earlier decision, instructing the court to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.

Oceana first sued NMFS in Alaska District Court in 2024, alleging the agency failed to adequately protect the North Pacific seabed from trawl fishing. The lawsuit claimed NMFS wasn’t fulfilling its obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US court hears arguments against turtle excluder devices in inshore Louisiana waters

August 14, 2026 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is considering a challenge to a 2019 NOAA Fisheries rule forcing Louisiana inshore shrimpers to install turtle excluder devices (TEDs).

A TED is a grid of metal bars placed in a trawl net that block larger animals – like turtles – while allowing smaller animals – like shrimp – to pass through. Louisiana shrimpers claim the requirement on inshore vessels is excessive, making their work more difficult and expensive despite little risk to turtles.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource