A federal agency’s plan to rebuild sardine populations in the Pacific Ocean was not properly implemented and failed to prevent overfishing, a California judge ruled this week.
Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia DeMarchi was a victory for environmentalists who said authorities have not ensured that sardine stocks will recover within the legally required timeframe.
The nonprofit organization Oceana sued the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2021, alleging that Pacific sardine populations declined by more than 98% between 2006 and 2020.
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The small, fatty fish that humans love are also essential food for whales, dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, and salmon. Environmentalists said the decline of sardines could cause problems for the entire marine ecosystem.
Lubeck, Maine – September 1942: A bucket full of sardines is pulled from a boat in Lubeck, Maine. (Photo credit: Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The Fisheries Department must develop a plan to help rebuild and set “strict, science-based limits on the number of fish that can be harvested each year,” the judge wrote in the order. The agency says it does not comment on litigation.
Dr. Jeff Shester, Oceana Senior Research Scientist, said, “The court follows the science and recognizes the need for a real plan with enforceable fishing limits to rebuild Pacific sardines and achieve healthy, bountiful, and resilient oceans.” I am grateful for this recognition.” said in a statement.
Mr. DeMarchi declined to grant some of Oceana’s motions, including one that would require it to submit a new environmental impact report.
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The judge ordered the parties to negotiate and submit relief plans by May 6.
