The Maine Lobstermen’s Association is urging the National Marine Fisheries Service to exempt lobster fishermen inside the 50-fathom curve along the Maine coast from gear modifications proposed to protect right whales. In comments supporting the MLS’s position, the Island Institute’s Rob Snyder noted that sinking lines don’t work in rocky bottom areas and areas with strong current; they pose safety hazards for lobstermen; they are cost prohibitive and that fishermen don’t believe a sink rope requirement can be implemented by October 2008 as the agency wants.
The MLA produced the a map (above) indicating that high concentrations of lobster gear along the coast don’t coincide with the presence of right whales, which tend to be further offshore. Click here to view a larger version of the map. (5MB pdf file)
For information about the map contact the Maine Lobstermen’s Association at www.mainelobstermen.org, or Island Institute at www.islandinstitute.org.