Our Stories

The Latest by Natalie Barefoot

Senior Attorney

A gray dolphin breaks the surface of the water as another swims next to it.
September 5, 2025

Court Victory for Earth’s Rarest Marine Dolphin

By Natalie Barefoot & Sabrina Devereaux & Chris Eaton  /  Oceans Program

With fewer than 50 Māui dolphins remaining, they are the rarest marine dolphin on Earth. Their survival is primarily threatened by harmful fishing practices that net the dolphins.

A gray dolphin breaks the surface of the water as another swims next to it.
January 8, 2025

U.S. Trade Lawsuit Aims to Protect Earth’s Rarest Marine Dolphin

By Natalie Barefoot & Sabrina Devereaux  /  Oceans Program

Today, only 30 to 50 critically endangered Māui dolphins are thought to exist.

An oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, swims in the waters off Hawaii.
July 26, 2022

We’re Showing Sharks Some Legal Love

By Andrea Treece & Natalie Barefoot  /  Oceans Program

As part of our work to preserve biodiversity, Earthjustice has mounted a series of legal challenges to protect vulnerable shark species from industrial fishing.

August 19, 2021

NOAA Just Named 31 Nations That Engage in Illegal or Unregulated Fishing. Here’s Why That’s a Step in the Right Direction.

By Natalie Barefoot & Danika Desai  /  Oceans Program

This new approach will help the agency protect marine biodiversity.

One of the ocean's biggest and most powerful fish, bluefin tuna are disappearing because of commercial fishing in the areas where they reproduce.
November 20, 2020

World Trade Organization Is Negotiating New Agreement to Protect Our Oceans From Overfishing

By Natalie Barefoot  /  Oceans Program

Earthjustice is one of more than 160 leading environmental organizations that have signed on in support of ending unsustainable funding practices