'A tactic to extend immunity': American Seafoods wants to slow Bayside case to continue shipping, avoiding fines well into next year

Attorneys for Kloosterboer International Forwarding (KIF) and Alaska Reefer Management (ARM) -- subsidiaries of pollock heavyweight American Seafoods -- and the US government were back in court on Friday arguing over the next steps in their court battle over use of a controversial shipping route known as the Bayside Program.

Not surprisingly, the two sides disagree over the next steps forward in the case.

The parties are trying to establish a timeline for ongoing litigation involving $400 million (€344 million) in fines levied against Alaska pollock producers, shipping companies and other freight companies by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency for alleged violations of the Jones Act.