Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Case of a Lobster Fisherman Who Opposes Boat Tracking
The ruling leaves about 1,200 federally permitted Maine lobstermen subject to GPS tracking that regulators say improves industry data and whale protection.
- On October 5, the Supreme Court denied a petition from Maine lobsterman Frank Thompson, rejecting his challenge to state-mandated GPS tracking devices on commercial fishing boats.
- Thompson alleged that requiring electronic tracking devices amounts to unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment, appealing after losing at the appeals court level.
- Maine's lobster industry is a key piece of the state's culture, with catch at the docks often worth more than $500 million annually, and monitoring is intended to inform stock assessments and management.
- Conservation Law Foundation associate attorney Sarah Shahabi said tracking provides "timely and accurate data that regulators need," calling the decision a "valuable step toward appropriately managing" the species.
- The Pacific Legal Foundation, representing Thompson, said in a Tuesday statement that the fight over whether government regulations can "sidestep Fourth Amendment protections is far from over.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Clarin
Independent EspañolThe U.S. Supreme Court rejected the case of a fisherman who questioned the use of GPS trackers on ships, allowing the collection of crucial data.Environmentalist groups welcome the decision, which seeks to protect vulnerable species and improve fisheries management in Maine, key to the local economy.
Supreme Court declines to hear the case of a lobster fisherman who opposes boat tracking – WTOP News
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of a lobster fisherman who alleged the government requiring commercial fishing boats to use electronic tracking devices amounts to unreasonable search and seizure. Maine lobster fisherman Frank Thompson sued after his state began requiring all federally permitted lobstermen to install GPS trackers...
Winnipeg Free Press
Supreme Court declines to hear the case of a lobster fisherman who opposes boat tracking
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of a lobster fisherman who alleged the government requiring commercial fishing boats to use electronic tracking devices amounts to unreasonable search and seizure.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
