A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 28 favored New Jersey herring fishermen in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, ending the Chevron deference—a legal precedent that allowed federal agencies broad authority to interpret congressional statutes. This decision limits NOAA Fisheries’ regulatory power unless explicitly directed by lawmakers. Critics, like Oceana, argue this undermines effective fisheries management, risking overfishing and environmental harm. The ruling was celebrated by the fishing industry as a victory for individual rights against governmental overreach, but it raises concerns about the increased role of courts in regulatory interpretation, shifting power away from specialized agencies.
