In a move that echoes the drama of courtroom battles, the U.S. Department of Commerce has been compelled to fork out $160,000 to the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA). This dramatic conclusion comes as part of a settlement in a class action lawsuit that challenged the National Marine Fisheries Service’s mandate for round-the-clock GPS tracking of leisure charter fishing vessels. This development trails the February ruling by the Fifth Circuit, which overturned the contentious rule.
Feds Pay Fishers $160K: NCLA’s Strategic Withdrawal
Wednesday marked a pivotal moment as the NCLA strategically backed down from its pursuit of attorney fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act. This withdrawal was in exchange for the hefty $160,000 sum, following their earlier request to halt the Fifth Circuit’s contemplation of the motion. U.S. Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod cemented this decision on Thursday, officially sanctioning the group’s retraction.
The Victory Lap: NCLA’s Triumph in the Legal Arena
John Vecchione, the NCLA’s senior litigation counsel, proclaimed the victory in a recent press release. Representing over 1,300 federally licensed charter boat owners, Vecchione lauded the monetary award as a testament to the group’s and its local counsel’s tenacity in championing the case. He emphasized that this victory not only validates their clients’ rights but also spares the courts the burden of supplementary litigation.