Federal Appeals Court Dismisses Maine Lobstermen's Defamation Suit Against Monterey Bay Aquarium
PORTLAND, Maine — A federal appeals court ruled on Oct. 12 in favor of California's Monterey Bay Aquarium, dismissing a defamation lawsuit brought by Maine lobstermen and industry groups. The suit, filed three years ago, stemmed from the aquarium's Seafood Watch program stripping the U.S. and Canadian lobster fisheries of their sustainability certification and urging consumers not to buy lobster.
The aquarium said the fishery poses a threat to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. The court upheld the aquarium's right to publish consumption advice based on scientific assessment, finding its statements were not defamatory.
The ruling carries weight for Maine's signature industry: lobster fishing supports thousands of coastal families. Industry groups have long argued the lost certification unfairly damaged Maine lobster's market reputation, and the broader debate between fishermen and conservation groups over fishing methods and whale protection is expected to continue.
(Source: Saving Seafood (via Maine Public)
Source: Saving Seafood
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 缅因州比尔斯岛作业中的龙虾船，CC BY 2.0，作者 robposse（Wikimedia Commons）
