Posted 11/02/2012 Two conservation groups are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service, challenging its new rule expanding the number of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles that may be taken by the Hawai`i swordfish fishery. The complaint seeks both injunctive relief … Continued
Posted 09/18/2012 The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced it is accepting further public comment on a petition to list the Hawai`i insular population of false killer whales as a distinct population segment eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act. … Continued
Posted 08/07/2012 Our August story, “New Stock Assessment of Pelagic Population of False Killer Whales,” regrettably included several errors and failed to note several important points. The following is intended to correct and/or clarify misstatements and omissions in our piece. … Continued
Posted 06/25/2012 In response to critical comments from state agencies and legislators as well as the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, the National Marine Fisheries Service has postponed for six more months a decision on expanding critical habitat for the … Continued
Posted 05/24/2012 Earthjustice is suing the National Marine Fisheries Service over the agency’s foot-dragging in protecting false killer whales from Hawai`i-based longline fishing vessels. NMFS’ own studies show that the whales are being hooked, injured, and even killed by … Continued
Posted 05/21/2012 Just days before the NRDC lawsuit, NMFS released its most recent stock assessment reports (SARs) for marine mammals, including those in the Pacific that interact with Hawai`i-based fisheries. At the same time, it responded to the several comments … Continued
Posted 12/30/2011 When the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed expanding critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal, teetering on the brink of extinction, it may have unwittingly set off a war against the creature. In the last two months, … Continued
Posted 11/18/2011 November 18 brought a double whammy to the longline vessels operating out of Honolulu. The National Marine Fisheries Service announced that, beginning November 27, Hawai`i longline vessels will no longer be allowed to fish for bigeye tuna in … Continued
Posted 10/27/2011 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it is no longer considering the wekiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola) for listing as an endangered species. Two other species are also removed from candidate status: the Gila springsnail and the … Continued
Posted 11/29/2010 A false killer whale that stranded on Moloka’i and later died has been confirmed as belonging to the insular population of these animals, which were proposed for listing as endangered just days ago. The total number of individuals … Continued