The State of Alaska and industry groups are challenging recent rulings upholding fisheries closures in the western Aleutians.  The appeal notice filed in district court Monday is the latest in a yearlong legal battle over the restrictions put in place to protect an endangered stock of Steller sea lions.

In January, U.S. District Court judge Timothy Burgess ruled that the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod closures would continue while the National Marine Fisheries Service evaluates their impact. In early March, Judge Burgess set a deadline of March 2014 for NFMS to deliver its final assessment. That effectively ensures the fisheries can’t reopen until at least 2015. The state and industry groups had asked for a much shorter timeline. The closures are estimated to cost the industry $80 million a year.

Attorneys for the state couldn’t comment on the grounds for appeal at this time.  The case will go before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.