Northeast Fishery Sector 12 and David Goethel, owner and operator of F/V ''Ellen Diane'', have announced that they are suing the U.S Department of Commerce.
The complaint challenges the legality of a federal mandate requiring ground fishermen in the Northeast United States to carry National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA") enforcement contractors known as "at-sea monitors" on their vessels.
"Fishing is my passion and it is how I've made a living, but right now, I'm extremely fearful that I won't be able to do what I love and provide for my family if I'm forced to pay out of pocket for at-sea monitors," said Mr Goethel.
He continued: "I'm doing this not only to protect myself, but to stand up for others out there like me whose livelihoods are in serious jeopardy. I'm grateful to Cause of Action for giving my industry a voice and helping us fight to preserve our way of life."
The complaint argued that paying for the cost of these sea-monitors will leave fishermen out-of-pocket. In addition to the complaint, the Plaintiffs have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction that would protect fishermen from having to bear the costs of the at-sea monitors.
John Haran, Northeast Fishery Sector 13 manager, said: "The fishermen in my sector are hard-working and compassionate folks who would give the shirts off of their backs to help a fellow fisherman in need.
"Our sector will be effectively shut down if these fishermen are forced to pay, themselves, for the cost of at-sea monitors."
