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A U.S. district court has deemed NOAA Fisheries’ strategy for restoring sardine populations along the West Coast unlawful, mandating the creation of a new plan. Oceana, represented by Earthjustice, initiated legal action against NOAA Fisheries in 2021 when Pacific sardine populations plummeted despite the government’s rebuilding efforts. The population saw a staggering decline of over 98% from 2006 to 2020. Despite being listed as overfished by NOAA Fisheries in 2019, their management plan was criticized by Oceana for maintaining ineffective measures and disregarding scientific advice. The court ruling concluded that the government’s plan was flawed and failed to adequately address environmental concerns as outlined by the National Environmental Policy Act. Oceana sees this ruling as a positive step towards implementing a comprehensive plan with enforceable catch limits to ensure the recovery of Pacific sardines and support the ecosystem’s overall health and resilience.

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