Judge rules federal plan to restore sardine population was insufficient

A California judge ruled that a federal plan to rebuild the sardine population in the Pacific was insufficient and failed to prevent overfishing.

The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia DeMarchi came as a victory to environmentalists. 

The big picture: The National Marine Fisheries Service was sued by the nonprofit Oceana in 2021, claiming that Pacific sardines had collapsed by over 98% between 2006 and 2020.

• As well as being eaten by humans, sardines are considered essential for whales, dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and salmon. 
• The Fisheries Service must develop a plan that supports rebuilding and set “hard, science-based caps on how many fish could be caught each year,” according to the judge’s order.
• The judge declined to grant some of Oceana’s motions, including one asking that she order a new environmental impact statement.
• The parties have been ordered to discuss and submit proposals for a remedy by May 6.

What they’re saying: “We’re grateful that the court followed the science and recognized the need for a real plan with enforceable catch limits that will rebuild Pacific sardines for a healthy, abundant, and resilient ocean,” said Dr. Geoff Shester, a senior scientist for Oceana, in a statement.