A federal appeals court has agreed to expedite a request for an appeal from Maine lobstermen over new federal rules.

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association announced Wednesday that the court sided with the group as they fight new federal rules designed to protect whales.

In granting the motion for expedited appeal, the Appeals Court says all briefs will need to be submitted by Jan. 10, 2023.

Maine lobstermen say the rules would cripple the state’s fishery. Federal environmental officials say it’s critical to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, though Maine fishermen say their boats have not posed a threat to the whales in the past.