A federal judge in Florida has upheld the ban on imports of Chilean black hake caught near Antarctica, amid controversy sparked by Russia’s refusal to support catch limits in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
This ruling reinforces the United States’ efforts to comply with its international commitments in the protection of sensitive marine ecosystems.
Why the US blocks the import of Chilean black hake
Since 2021, Russia has rejected the catch limits for Chilean black hake at the southernmost end of the world, stalling conservation efforts within the CCAMLR, which operates by consensus.
The United Kingdom unilaterally set catch limits off the coast of South Georgia, drawing criticism from environmentalists and raising concerns about the integrity of international fisheries management.
Ruling Details
Judge David Leibowitz’s decision supports the U.S. government’s interpretation to block imports of fishing vessels licensed by the UK in the South Georgia area. Leibowitz argued that allowing unrestricted fishing contradicts the CCAMLR’s goals of protecting the Antarctic ecosystem.
The decision extends an existing ban on imports of British vessels, although the fish remains available in the United States through suppliers from countries like Australia and France, where Russia has not objected to catch limits.
Responses and Controversies
Andrea Kavanagh, from Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, praised the ruling for protecting one of the last intact marine ecosystems on the planet.
On the other hand, Gavin Gibbons, from the National Fisheries Institute, warned that this measure could increase food costs in the United States and jeopardize jobs in the fishing sector.
Geopolitical Implications
The case reflects how international tensions, such as Russia’s actions in cooperation forums, affect global agreements on conservation.
The U.S. decision aims to preserve decades of multilateral efforts to sustainably manage fishing in the Antarctic region.
*With information from AP
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