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Landmark Legal Battle: Fishermen Challenge Regulatory Overreach Impacting Livelihoods

ByAlki David

Oct 21, 2023

In a pivotal move, the Supreme Court has accepted a second challenge to the long-standing legal doctrine known as “Chevron deference.” This doctrine, born from a 1984 ruling, grants federal agencies substantial authority in formulating rules and regulations. The case, Relentless Inc. v U.S. Department of Commerce, represents a crucial juncture for Rhode Island fishermen who, along with those in the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo case, are fervently contesting a federal rule that mandates them to bear the financial burden of federal observers on their boats.

These fishermen argue that the National Marine Fisheries Service has exceeded its bounds by proposing exorbitant fees, potentially reaching up to $700 per day, for hiring a monitor to oversee their catch. The dispute, originating in the federal appeals courts, now stands before the Supreme Court, bringing to light the profound implications of regulatory decisions on the livelihoods of those engaged in the fishing industry.

“The regulatory inequity threatens petitioners’ use of the flexible style of fishing they have developed and even the use of their vessels with enormous sunk costs. The final rule could result in some fishing trips losing rather than making money,” emphasizes the petition presented to the high court.

This legal battle transcends mere courtroom proceedings; it delves into the heart of how federal agencies wield their authority and the repercussions felt by individuals whose lives are intertwined with the ebbs and flows of the ocean. The fishermen assert that the proposed rule not only jeopardizes their established fishing practices but also places a substantial financial burden on their ventures.

As the Supreme Court prepares to delve into these contentious cases, the outcome could redefine the balance of power between federal agencies and those directly impacted by their decisions. The implications resonate not only within the legal sphere but also within the intricate web of America’s fishing industry.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.