Independent Fisheries appeals ruling in $10M lobster lawsuit
Independent Fisheries Ltd. and its president, Xiaoming (Mark) Mao, are appealing a court decision regarding a $10-million lawsuit filed by the Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance.
The alliance, representing commercial fishers across the Maritimes, alleges that the defendants participated in a conspiracy to transport, process, and sell illegally caught lobster. The group claims this activity has diminished lobster stocks in St. Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia, resulting in $10 million in damages. The lawsuit also names Fisher Direct Ltd. and Seawell Holdings Ltd. as defendants.
Mao and Independent Fisheries argue that the allegations are too vague to allow for a proper defense. They have requested the court compel the alliance to disclose the identities of allegedly harmed harvesters, the names of conspirators, and specific dates and times of the acts.
A judge dismissed this motion in January, ruling that the defendants would have opportunities for disclosure and discovery as the case progresses. The judge noted it would be unreasonable to require the alliance to provide facts that are likely within the exclusive knowledge of the defendants.
Entities
Fisher Direct Ltd. · Independent Fisheries Ltd. · Seawell Holdings Ltd. · Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance · Xiaoming (Mark) Mao
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] A judge dismissed the motion to compel disclosure in January, stating the defendants would have opportunities for discovery later. kitchener.citynews.ca · calgary.citynews.ca · vancouver.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 4 SOURCES] The alleged scheme caused $10 million in damages and diminished lobster stocks in St. Mary’s Bay. kitchener.citynews.ca · calgary.citynews.ca · vancouver.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 4 SOURCES] Independent Fisheries Ltd. and Xiaoming (Mark) Mao argue they cannot prepare a defense without more detailed allegations and specific identities. kitchener.citynews.ca · calgary.citynews.ca · vancouver.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance alleges the defendants conspired to transport, process, and sell illegally caught lobster. kitchener.citynews.ca · calgary.citynews.ca · vancouver.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca