A federal judge is throwing out a lawsuit from Maine lobstermen over a rule that went into effect more than a year ago.

The rule requires lobstermen with federal fishing permits to put monitors on their boats, which tracks their location on the water.

Five lobstermen had argued that the monitors violate their constitutional rights to privacy, equal protection and due process.

The judge agreed with the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) that the monitors are not a major invasion of a lobstermen’s privacy.

Bangor based U.S. District Judge John Woodcock said DMR’s arguments carried weight because the industry is subject to tougher standards and conservation measures that are meant to protect the lobster population.

However, Woodcock said the lobstermen had raised important Fourth Amendment questions and encouraged them to appeal the case.

DMR’s ruled changes will remain in effect while the lobstermen bring an appeal, which their attorney says they will do.