# Oceana Applauds Court Decision to Prevent Overfishing of Five Fish Species in New England and Mid-Atlantic

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/oceana-court-ruling-overfishing/
- Published: 2011-12-28T16:14:32-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Oceana is the largest international advocacy group. They are working solely to protect
the world’s oceans. Recently, they applauded a decision made yesterday by the United
States District Court in [Washington, D.C.](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/08/protecting-the-arctic-ocean-with-ted-danson-and-oceana/).
This decision is to establish annual catch limits and accountability measures. Especially
for five fish species in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Thereby ensuring that
the species are not overfished.

In addition, below is a statement in response to the decision. This statement is
by Oceana’s New England representative Gib Brogan.

## Overfishing

“Yesterday’s decision by the United States District Court is a win for ocean conservation
in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. This ruling also requires that protections 
are established for Atlantic halibut, ocean pout, windowpane flounder, Southern 
New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder and wolffish. For these are some of which
are currently overfished.

In the first major court decision concerning the implementation of the Magnuson 
Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006. For the law that governs fishery management
in the U.S..  It was also ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
must ensure that overfishing does not occur. Most importantly for these five species.
Specifically, the court found that while the fish are discarded by 98 percent of
the fishery. I mean they are still being caught. Therefore, some may still be overfished,
as bycatch. Accountability measures for each of these species are needed to keep
this fishery in check.

![Overfishing laws with Oceana](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2014/06/focus-fisheries-cod-585-mfk013011.jpg?resize=420%2C251&quality=52&
ssl=1)

### Overfishing Ruling

This ruling will serve as a precedent to other fisheries facing overfishing as a
result of bycatch. It will also require the implementation of accountability measures
once an annual catch limit is exceeded.

#### Conclusion

Oceana is disappointed that the Court failed to require a more thorough environmental
analysis of the fisheries and did not require more monitoring of bycatch. Oceana
believes that NMFS is turning a blind eye to the unlawful catch of a wide range 
of species in these waters. That’s including striped bass and summer flounder.

### Attorney’s

The Oceana was represented by O’Melveny and Myers of New York City in this case,
which was originally filed in 2010.”

[Source](https://Oceana.org): Oceana, December 21, 2011, Washington