Fishing

Advocating Oceans: A Summer Fellowship Shapes Understanding of IUU Fishing and Community Resilience in Indonesia

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Jakarta, Indonesia – An immersive legal experience in international law and environmental policy unfolded for a fellow at the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) this summer, thanks to the support of the GWC and the David Harrison Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellowship. This opportunity allowed the fellow to explore the critical confluence of environmental sustainability, maritime security, and human rights in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. During the fellowship, the participant produced a detailed report that addressed the pressing issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The research … Read more

Hawaiian Judge Reinstates Ocean Protections, Halting Commercial Fishing in Pacific Marine Monument

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HONOLULU, Hawaii — A federal judge has ordered a halt to commercial fishing in a significant area of the Pacific Ocean, siding with environmentalists who argued against a rollback of federal protections implemented during the Trump administration. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith, reinstates protections for the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, home to diverse marine life including turtles, seabirds, and mammals. Environmental advocates assert that longline fishing, which involves baited hooks on lines measuring 60 miles or longer, poses a significant threat to these species. The Trump administration’s … Read more

Hawaii Judge Restores Ocean Protections, Halting Commercial Fishing in Pacific National Monument After Environmentalists’ Challenge

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HONOLULU — A federal judge in Hawaii has supported environmental advocates by ordering a halt to commercial fishing in a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, a move that challenges an earlier decision made under the Trump administration to roll back ocean protections. The ruling affects the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, a designated area that shelters various marine species such as turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Environmental organizations argue that longline fishing, which uses baited hooks on lines stretching up to 60 miles, poses a significant threat to these vulnerable species. In 2017, … Read more

Local Fishermen Spark ‘Bluefin Uprising’ Over Shoreline Fishing Restrictions at Outer Banks

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NAGS HEAD, N.C. — For fishermen at the Outer Banks, the thrill of landing a bluefin tuna from a pier or shore has suddenly shifted from a dream to a complex reality fraught with legal challenges and conservation concerns. This shift came into sharp focus earlier this month near Jennette’s Pier, where the rare proximity of bluefin tuna to the shoreline spurred unexpected catches and subsequent regulation enforcement. Local fisherman Fin Brophy expressed his astonishment at the occurrence, commenting that never in his wildest dreams did he envision hooking a bluefin tuna from a pier. … Read more