The energy company that reported one of its offshore pipeline began spilling oil off the coast of the U.S. state of California earlier this month now finds itself facing a multitude of lawsuits from companies and individuals impacted by the environmental disaster, including representatives of the fishing industry.
On Tuesday, 12 October, two California-based lobster fishermen filed a lawsuit against Amplify Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries in a California federal court. The plaintiffs claim Amplify did not immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard of the spill on Saturday, 2 October, which led to more than 144,000 gallons of crude oil entering into the San Pedro Bay area.
The spill prompted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to close offshore fisheries while its staff test waters in the area. As a result, lobstermen Bradley Bitton and Kirk Schoonover, among others, aren’t able to access a critical area for their businesses, they said in their suit.
“Lobster fishermen are unable to bait and trap lobster for the short harvesting season which was set to begin on 6 October, 2021,” the complaint stated. “Many fishers and trappers have lost significant revenue because they have not been able to collect any of the fish or shellfish in their already-set traps.”
The plaintiffs, who seek class action status for their case as well as damages and fees, said the state’s testing process will take at least six weeks.
The lobstermen’s lawsuit is one of several fishing related complaints filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Both recreational and commercial fishing interests have appeared before the court in the past week.
On Friday, 8 October, Quality Sea Food Inc. and LBC Seafood Inc. along with local fishermen Steve Legere and Jack Buttler, filed a lawsuit, seeking class-action certification. Quality Sea Food, which has operated in the area for nearly 70 years, said it serves as a first landing site for many local fishermen. As a result of the spill, with fishermen unable to access local waters, the company fears a significant economic loss, which might last long-term.
“Since the oil spill, Quality Sea Food has noticed that customers are already hesitant to purchase seafood,” the complaint stated.
A message sent by SeafoodSource to Amplify on Wednesday, 13 October, seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Last week, the company issued a statement that it was “a fully engaged member of and working cooperatively with the unified command” managing the incidents. That includes the U.S. Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response.
On Monday, 11 October, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the California Department of Justice was investigating the spill and working with other state agencies as well as local and federal authorities to determine how the spill occurred and what could have prevented it from happening.
“The oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach is an environmental disaster with far-reaching consequences for our fish and wildlife, for our communities, and for our economy,” Bonta said.
Photo courtesy of mikeledray/Shutterstock
