RFA Files Motion in Federal Court to Prevent White Marlin Listing
Longliners Oppose RFA’s Involvement!
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has filed the paperwork necessary to intervene in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia as part of its efforts to prevent the white marlin from being listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The move follows the lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Turtle Island Restoration Network against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that seeks to force the agency to list the Atlantic white marlin as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Under the language of the ESA, if white marlin are listed as “threatened” or “endangered” and “critical habitat” is established for the species, NMFS would have the discretion to prohibit recreational fishing for white marlin by regulation- even catch and release.
“If Plaintiffs prevail in this action, recreational fishermen might well be prohibited from fishing for white marlin and face other restrictions,” said Raymond D. Bogan, RFA counsel. “This would be economically and socially disastrous for many RFA members.”
“We’ve filed this motion on behalf of all the RFA members who fish for white marlin and other HMS, build the boats used to fish for white marlin, manufacture the products used by these boat builders, operate big game fishing tournaments, run charter boat businesses, sell the bait and tackle used by white marlin anglers, operate the marinas used by white marlin anglers, and others,” said Herbert P. Moore, Jr., RFA co-counsel. “An ESA listing is unnecessary and it certainly is not the answer to bringing back the white marlin stock.”
RFA’s motion to intervene is now in the hands of U.S. District Court Judge Richard W. Roberts.
While all other parties to the case have not opposed the RFA becoming a party, the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association, which represents the pelagic drift longliners, has filed a memorandum opposing RFA’s right to intervene.
“The longliners are using their financial resources to oppose RFA’s efforts to protect our members’ interests,” said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. “This is obviously politically driven and based on the RFA’s successful efforts over the years to curtail overfishing by the longliners. The longliners singling out the RFA is a testament to our effectiveness.”
RFA Files Motion in Federal Court to Prevent White Marlin Listing
Longliners Oppose RFA’s Involvement!
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has filed the paperwork necessary to intervene in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia as part of its efforts to prevent the white marlin from being listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The move follows the lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Turtle Island Restoration Network against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that seeks to force the agency to list the Atlantic white marlin as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Under the language of the ESA, if white marlin are listed as “threatened” or “endangered” and “critical habitat” is established for the species, NMFS would have the discretion to prohibit recreational fishing for white marlin by regulation- even catch and release.
“If Plaintiffs prevail in this action, recreational fishermen might well be prohibited from fishing for white marlin and face other restrictions,” said Raymond D. Bogan, RFA counsel. “This would be economically and socially disastrous for many RFA members.”
“We’ve filed this motion on behalf of all the RFA members who fish for white marlin and other HMS, build the boats used to fish for white marlin, manufacture the products used by these boat builders, operate big game fishing tournaments, run charter boat businesses, sell the bait and tackle used by white marlin anglers, operate the marinas used by white marlin anglers, and others,” said Herbert P. Moore, Jr., RFA co-counsel. “An ESA listing is unnecessary and it certainly is not the answer to bringing back the white marlin stock.”
RFA’s motion to intervene is now in the hands of U.S. District Court Judge Richard W. Roberts.
While all other parties to the case have not opposed the RFA becoming a party, the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association, which represents the pelagic drift longliners, has filed a memorandum opposing RFA’s right to intervene.
“The longliners are using their financial resources to oppose RFA’s efforts to protect our members’ interests,” said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. “This is obviously politically driven and based on the RFA’s successful efforts over the years to curtail overfishing by the longliners. The longliners singling out the RFA is a testament to our effectiveness.”