A federal judge is allowing a lawsuit filed by a group of Maine lobster businesses against a California aquarium to go forward.
The businesses sued Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2023 over its decision to give Maine lobster a “red” rating in its 2022 seafood watch list, which rates the sustainability of fisheries around the globe. Maine’s lobster fishery received the “red” rating over its alleged impact on the North Atlantic right whale population.
The defamation lawsuit was filed by Bean Maine Lobster Inc., Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, Atwood Lobster and Port Clyde fishermen Gerry Cushman through his fishing business, Bug Catcher Inc.
The lawsuit alleges that the aquarium’s listing misrepresented data about the fishery’s impact on North Atlantic right whales and ignored conservation measures that have been adopted to prevent gear entanglements with whales. As a result of the “red” rating, sales of Maine lobster dropped, in part because Whole Foods announced in November 2022 that it would stop buying the crustacean.
Federal Judge John Woodcock, presiding in a Bangor courtroom, rejected the aquarium’s motion to dismiss, allowing the lawsuit to move forward. Woodcock’s ruling comes nearly a year after federal fisheries officials determined that a dead right whale that washed up on Martha’s Vineyard had rope from Maine’s lobster industry wrapped around its tail.
“This ruling is a crucial step in holding the Monterey Bay Aquarium accountable for misleading statements that have unfairly targeted our industry,” said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “Maine lobstermen have been stewards of the ocean for generations, and we are committed to defending our livelihood against baseless claims.”
