US News
Supreme Court to consider hearing challenge to Maine lobster boat tracking mandate
ABC News reports that justices will review a Fourth Amendment appeal filed by a Maine lobsterman.
The short version
- Maine lobsterman Frank Thompson filed a federal lawsuit challenging a 2023 mandate requiring federally permitted lobstermen to install GPS trackers on their private boats to maintain their fishing licenses.[ABC News]
- A federal appeals court previously rejected Thompson's claim that the mandatory location tracking constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure.[ABC News]
- The Supreme Court is scheduled to review Thompson's petition on September 28 to determine whether it will take up the Fourth Amendment case.[ABC News]
Key facts
- The Supreme Court is scheduled to review Frank Thompson's petition on September 28.[ABC News]
- In 2023, Maine required all federally permitted lobstermen to install electronic tracking devices to meet federal data collection standards.[ABC News]
- A federal appeals court denied Thompson's constitutional challenge last year.[ABC News]
- Maine fishermen landed over 78 million pounds of lobster last year.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether the Supreme Court will agree to grant full review to the Fourth Amendment challenge.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.