New England fishermen urge court to uphold rollback of illegal fishing ban
July 31, 2026
Washington, DC; July 31, 2026: Today, two New England fishermen filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit over a fishing ban encompassing 5,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Frank Green and Bob Conrad argue that the fishing ban was illegally enacted under the Antiquities Act and that the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the ban should be upheld by the courts, rather than struck down as an environmental nonprofit argues.
“Presidents have abused their power under the Antiquities Act for decades, drastically exceeding its narrow scope and disregarding Congress to restrict Americans’ right to productively use natural resources,” said Frank Garrison, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. “The fishermen who work those waters shouldn’t have their livelihoods threatened by unilateral presidential decree. We are proud to represent our clients as they stand against this violation of their rights and the rule of law.”
In 2016, President Obama declared a 5,000-mile swath of seafloor near the Georges Bank a national monument and banned fishing across it under the Antiquities Act, a 1906 law enacted to protect ancient Pueblo ruins. Under the ban, fishermen face fines of up to $100,000 per day and the loss of their licenses for fishing in the area.
The first Trump administration rescinded the ban after taking office, then the Biden administration reestablished it in 2021. Now, after another reversal by the second Trump administration, private environmental organizations are petitioning the courts to force the ban back into law.
Today, New England fishermen Frank Green and Bob Conrad asked the court to allow them to join the lawsuit to defend the ban’s reversal. They argue that the ban was illegally enacted — as the Antiquities Act does not empower presidents to designate marine monuments or ban commercial fishing — and that it should remain rescinded.
Green and Conrad are represented at no cost by Pacific Legal Foundation. The case is Conservation Law Foundation v. Trump.
Documents
No files available.
About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 21 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.