Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Inc. v. Chevron Corp.

A commercial fishing industry trade group brought a suit against fossil fuels companies for adverse climate change impacts on the coasts of California and Oregon that resulted in prolonged closures of Dungeness crab fisheries.

Background
In recent years, algae blooms caused by warming Pacific waters have caused the closure of the Dungeness crab fishery off the coast of California and Oregon. In response to these closures, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations brought a suit in California state court seeking damages from the fossil fuel industry for their role in causing climate change.

The claim was similarly structed to cases brought by California local governments against the fossil fuel industry, including City of Oakland v. BP p.l.c. amd County of San Mateo v. Chevron Corp.. The claim accuses the fossil fuel companies of negligence, defective-product liability, creating a nuisance, and failing to warn about the dangers of fossil fuel products.

Relevant Law and Principles

 * Negligence
 * Defective-product liability
 * Nuisance
 * Failure to warn

Status
The case is currently awaiting a decision in City of Oakland v. BP p.l.c. amd County of San Mateo v. Chevron Corp. before proceeding.

Takeaways
The case is similar to the many cases that have been brought by local governments in the United States against the fossil fuel industry. What sets this case apart is the fact that it was brought by a private entity.

Links

 * Sabin Center Database