In SCARBOROUGH, Maine, a federal court has ruled that a group of lobster fishermen has the right to sue one of the world’s largest seafood watchdog groups for defamation. This ruling stems from a report issued by the watchdog group that characterized Maine lobster as an unwise choice for consumers, citing concerns about the threat posed to a rare whale species due to entanglement in fishing gear. The report prompted the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California to caution against consuming certain types of lobster traditionally harvested by New England fishermen. As a result, Seafood Watch, a conservation program operated by the aquarium, added lobster from the U.S. and Canada to its do-not-eat “red list” in 2022, leading some retailers to remove lobster from their shelves following the recommendation.
Last month, Judge John Woodcock determined that the fishermen had a legitimate claim that their industry’s reputation had been harmed by the red-listing. The aquarium had attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed, but Woodcock’s ruling allows the case to move forward. A spokesperson for the aquarium announced plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing the importance of their ability to share critical information with the public.
Woodcock emphasized in his ruling that the damage to the fishermen’s reputation caused by the red-listing cannot be fully compensated through monetary damages, as reputation and goodwill are invaluable assets that can be impacted long-term. The lobster industry, primarily centered in Maine, is a significant part of the U.S. fisheries sector, with a value exceeding half a billion dollars at the docks last year. Additionally, entanglement in lobster gear poses a substantial threat to the North Atlantic right whale population, which numbers fewer than 400.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, praised Woodcock’s decision as “significant” in a statement. Patrice McCarron, the association’s executive director, reaffirmed the commitment of Maine lobstermen to protecting their livelihood against what they perceive as unfounded claims.
