The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for all fishing that takes place in our nation’s saltwater resources, which is why Earthjustice is planning on suing them.
The environmental group is claiming that the NOAA agency did failed to finalize and implement a plan to protect false killer whales from Hawaii’s longline fishing industry, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. According to the group, NMFS data shows that longlining is killing the species of dolphin at a rate that is three times what their population can sustain, and that the agency is six months past due on that plan to reduce mortality.
“These magnificent false killer whales don’t deserve a cruel death at the end of a longline hook, especially since common-sense solutions already exist to prevent serious injuries and drowning,” said Todd Steiner, biologist and executive director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network. –Brian McClintock
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