March 19, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
The goal of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan is to reduce injuries and deaths of large whales due to incidental entanglement in fishing gear.
The plan evolves as we learn more about why whales become entangled and how fishing practices might be modified to reduce the risk of entanglement.
We are proposing to modify the minimum number of traps per trawl requirements in certain state waters including portions of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine. This modification is in response to proposals submitted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and Maine Department of Marine Resources.
The new requirements would allow singles to be fished in certain areas. The rule would also require everyone fishing singles in these select waters to distinctively mark their gear.
The rule also proposes unique gear marking for all trap/pots and gillnets in Jordan Basin and Jeffreys Ledge, two important habitats for right whales.
Read the text of the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, read the fact sheet about the proposed changes, and send in your comments online or by mail to:
Kim Damon-Randall
Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources
NMFS Greater Atlantic Region
55 Great Republic Dr.
Gloucester, MA 01930
Attn: Large Whale Proposed Rule
The comment period closes on April 20, 2015.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, at 978-281-9175 or Jennifer.Goebel@noaa.gov.