Fisheries Regulation & Transactions

Trusted Advisors to the Commercial Fishing Industry

Van Ness Feldman understands the complexities and specialized needs of the commercial fishing industry; our attorneys have helped navigate clients through some of today’s most complex, precedent-setting and controversial fisheries management issues.

Van Ness Feldman use its expertise to provide clients with vital legal and political counsel on a broad range of fisheries issues. 

• American Fisheries Act and Magnuson-Stevens Act implementation and compliance
• Fishery management council proceedings
• Limited entry permits and individual fishing quota issues
• Commercial transactions, including the formation and management of fishing co-operatives
• Regulatory compliance, including enforcement proceedings and litigation
• Design and development of legislative strategies
• Regulatory accounting and financial reporting.

Representing Seafood Industry Leaders and Interested Parties

Our clients participate in virtually all sectors of the commercial fishing industry. They include:

• Commercial fishing and fish processing companies
• Commercial fishing associations and coalitions
• Native Alaskan Enterprises

Broad Perspective on Complex Issues

Our attorneys understand how to efficiently manage the federal and state regulatory and compliance issues associated with the commercial fishing industry.

We have also devised effective strategies for working with the Executive Branch, Congress, regional fishery management councils, state and local governments, citizen groups, the environmental community and other stakeholders.

Van Ness Feldman has in-depth experience with the laws that affect the commercial fishing industry: many of our attorneys have participated in the creation or revision of some of the most important federal laws impacting the fishing industry: the Magnuson-Stevens Act; the American Fisheries Act; the Clean Water Act; the Endangered Species Act; and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Moreover, our lawyers have worked for federal and state resource agencies and have first hand experience regarding the implementation of federal and state laws affecting the fishing industry. The firm has particular experience with:

Magnuson-Stevens Act and American Fisheries Act. Van Ness Feldman’s attorneys understand the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the unique rulemaking processes for issues that affect the commercial fishing industry. Our attorneys are experienced in working with regional fishery management councils and NOAA Fisheries. We know how to navigate the Council process by working closely with council members and their staff, agency representatives and other stakeholders.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Van Ness Feldman’s attorneys have extensive experience in administering and managing compliance with NEPA. This experience has been gained through decades of service as advisors to industrial and manufacturing companies, as counsel to major industry associations, and through direct service as high-level officials in Congress and the Executive Branch. Our attorneys possess the requisite knowledge to successfully prepare and develop environmental documents and compliance materials to support projects and agency actions that expedite, sanction, or approve the commercial fishing activities.

Endangered Species Act (ESA). Van Ness Feldman represents client interests in every venue in which ESA issues arise, including federal and state regulatory agencies, legislative and policy arenas, and federal courts. The firm has assisted clients with ESA issues related to high profile species - such as Pacific and Atlantic salmon runs - and lower profile species, as well.

Litigation. Van Ness Feldman attorneys have represented clients in a variety of disputes involving commercial fishing industry issues, including litigation addressing NOAA Fisheries’ rulemaking and enforcement actions. We attempt to define points around which consensus can be built and move forward in as collaborative a process as possible. However, conflict sometimes is unavoidable, and when litigation is required, the firm litigates vigorously and effectively on behalf of its clients.

Advocacy. Van Ness Feldman has advocated the interests of the commercial fishing industry before Congress, the Executive Branch, regional fishery management councils, and state and local governments. Having worked for decades in both the public and private sectors to create, influence, shape, implement, and comply with all of the commercial fishing-related laws, our lobbyists and attorneys have developed an in-depth understanding of the nuances of policymaking in both Congress and the Executive Branch and are well-equipped to effectively advocate commercial fishing industry interests before those bodies.