No Halo News · Sourced development
Appeals court reportedly orders dismissal of lobster-industry defamation suit against Monterey Bay Aquarium
WMTW reported that a federal appeals court ordered dismissal of a defamation lawsuit filed by the Maine Lobstermen's Association and four other groups against Monterey Bay Aquarium. The dispute concerned the aquarium's Seafood Watch program placing U.S. and Canadian lobster on its red list because of risks that fishing gear poses to endangered North Atlantic right whales.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
The reported dismissal is a significant favorable legal outcome for the aquarium and protects its ability, at this stage, to publish conservation guidance through Seafood Watch.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
The outcome was reported by WMTW based on the federal appellate proceeding.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo did not independently review the complete appellate opinion or establish whether the plaintiffs will seek rehearing or Supreme Court review. The dismissal does not independently prove every scientific assertion underlying Seafood Watch's recommendation.
Right of reply
Organization response
No response from Monterey Bay Aquarium was located in the consulted material.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Dismissal. Current state: Resolved. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published October 12, 2026 · Last verified October 14, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.