Tag Archives: Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley

Ruling rejects Massachusetts and New Hampshire challenges over science, economic impact

shame“In our brief, we cited Justice (Antonin) Scalia’s view that an amount of deference is a permission slip for an arrogation of power,” said Brian Rothschild, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Sustainable Fisheries, which joined the state of Rhode Island in filing amicus briefs on behalf of the plaintiffs. “The problem is that in cases like this, judges are left with really difficult technical decisions. That’s the reason for the deference.” Read more here  07:35

Flawed Science, Flawed Agency. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns Flawed Judgement on behalf of NOAA/NMFS

U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns has ruled in favor of NOAA in the federal lawsuit filed by Massachusetts charging that NOAA failed to utilize the best science available last year when instituting draconian cuts to groundfish catch limits, as well as failing to consider the adverse economic impact of those cuts. Coakley, in a statement, said her office is reviewing its option for appeal of Stearns’ ruling.  Read more here at GDT 15:30  Judgement here

Lawsuit may be too late – “We just don’t have the luxury of time,” said Scituate Mass fisherman Frank Mirarchi.

Wicked Local Scituate-“There is no light at the end of the tunnel for us,” he said. “A lot of  fishermen are getting to the point where they need to get out of this business.  Others have already decided to get out and are just waiting for someone to buy  their boat. It’s pathetic. We have tried pushing every button you can imagine  from local to state to federal and nothing has happened.” continued