Federal Appeals Court Dismisses Maine Lobstermen's Defamation Lawsuit Against Monterey Bay Aquarium
A federal appeals court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Maine lobstermen and industry groups against the California-based Monterey Bay Aquarium. The lawsuit, initiated three years ago, stemmed from the aquarium's Seafood Watch program removing sustainability certifications for U.S. and Canadian lobster fisheries and advising consumers against purchasing lobster. The aquarium justified its stance by citing the fishery's perceived threat to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. The plaintiffs, including Bean Maine Lobster, Inc., the Maine Lobstermen's Association, and the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, argued that the aquarium's statements were defamatory and caused them economic harm. However, the appeals court disagreed with a lower court's interpretation of the group defamation rule, concluding that the Maine lobstermen could not demonstrate harm to their individual businesses. The court has directed the case to be returned to a lower court for dismissal.
