January 28, 2022 — Lobstermen elsewhere in New England will have to join their Massachusetts counterparts in using weakened rope or special inserts to weaken existing trap rope beginning in May to help protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.
The rope and the in-line links, which must break under 1,700 pounds of pressure to help marine mammals break away if they become entangled, need to comply with rules mandated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. The problem is the rope is short supply.
For Massachusetts fishermen, the required 3/8-inch red and white “candy cane” and 5/16-inch red weak rope manufactured by Rocky Mount Cordage Company in North Carolina, one of two rope makers approved by NOAA, is available only at Rose Marine in Gloucester for those north of Boston or through Ketchum Trap in New Bedford for those south of Boston.
“I know they’re out of stock in Maine, and I just filled an order for the 3/8 rope and sold out,” said Steve Germain of Rose Marine, 375 Main St., on Thursday. “I still have the 5/16 red rope, but the red and white is on back order.” He said he had no estimate on when new stock would arrive.
Lobstermen on Cape Ann and elsewhere in Massachusetts have been using the weakened rope for the past year and a half, said Beth Casoni of the Massachusetts Lobstermen Association.