Louisiana Shrimp Association v. Lutnick — 5th Cir. (Aug 4, 2026)
The Fifth Circuit reviews a 2019 rule requiring skimmer trawl vessels at least 40 feet long to use turtle excluder devices—escape hatches that let turtles out of shrimp nets. Louisiana shrimpers say the National Marine Fisheries Service relied on unsupported estimates of deaths after release and failed to answer their objections. The government says the agency used observer data, studies and expert review, then narrowed the rule to reduce economic harm. A federal district court upheld the rule; the shrimpers appealed. The Fifth Circuit has not yet ruled.
Louisiana Shrimp Association v. Lutnick (No. 25-30408) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 4, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-30408_08-04-2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?docket=25-30408
Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-08-04
Opinion search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions?docket=25-30408&group=flat
District-court order and reasons — U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-00156/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-00156-0.pdf
2019 turtle-excluder-device final rule — National Marine Fisheries Service:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-12-20/pdf/2019-27398.pdf
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706 — U.S. House of Representatives:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section706&num=0&edition=prelim
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-30408
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:58Scott St. John — Appellants
- 2:10Administrative Procedure Act
- 13:40Frederick Turner — Appellees