Fed plan to rebuild Pacific sardine population was insufficient, California judge finds

SAN JOSE, California — A plan by federal agencies to rebuild the Pacific sardine population was poorly implemented and failed to prevent overfishing, a California judge ruled this week.

Monday’s decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia DeMarchi was a victory for environmentalists, who said officials failed to ensure sardine stocks would recover within a legally required time frame.

The nonprofit Oceana sued the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2021, claiming that Pacific sardine stocks had collapsed by more than 98% between 2006 and 2020.

The small, oily fish that humans enjoy are also essential food for whales, dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and salmon. The loss of sardines could cause problems in ocean ecosystems, environmentalists say.

The Fisheries Service must develop a plan that supports reconstruction and “set firm, science-based limits on the number of fish that can be taken annually,” the judge wrote in her order. The agency said it does not comment on lawsuits.

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

DeMarchi declined to grant several of Oceana’s motions, including a request for a new environmental impact statement.

The judge ordered the parties to discuss and submit proposals for a solution by May 6.