Daily Archives: February 8, 2025
Judge allows Maine lobstermen’s lawsuit over ‘red listing’ to advance
After almost two years in limbo, a defamation lawsuit Maine lobstering groups filed against a California aquarium can move forward, a federal judge ruled Friday. The Maine Lobsterman’s Association, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and three lobster businesses sued the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation in 2023 after the organization’s Seafood Watch program put lobster on a “red list” of seafood consumers should avoid. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation argued that it has a right to make its rating based on Maine’s free speech laws. But U.S. District Judge John Woodcock disagreed. Maine lobstermen have said that the red listing not only is false but also has caused significant economic harm to them and the Maine lobster brand. Companies like Whole Foods, Hello Fresh and Blue Apron subsequently pulled Gulf of Maine lobster from their menus, in line with Seafood Watch’s allegations. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:42
Offshore wind farm areas ‘reduced’ following campaign by fishing sector
In what will be seen as a victory for fishermen, various alterations (reductions) have been made to offshore wind farm concessions. The Ericeira area has been removed from the Offshore Renewable Energy Allocation Plan (PAER), while the northern part of the Viana do Castelo area has been reduced and the southern area removed altogether. “As a result of the weighting carried out, the need to reduce the impact on fishing activity and the environment was recognised,” says the document published today in state gazette Diário da República – pointing out that “the area north of Viana do Castelo has been reduced, the area south of Viana do Castelo has been eliminated, the Leixões area has been adjusted slightly, and the Ericeira area has been eliminated”.Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:57