Message from DMR Commissioner to Lobstermen: Move Gear from Jeffreys Ledge to Avoid Entanglement Potential
Seventy-five endangered North Atlantic right whales have been seen this week just off the western edge of Jeffreys Ledge. I am strongly urging any lobster fisherman with gear in the vicinity of the right whales on Jeffreys Ledge to move their gear to another area until surveys indicate that the whales have moved on. I don’t have to tell you that within the last year, Maine gear was found for the first time on a deceased right whale. The ramifications of another entanglement in Maine gear could be devastating to your fishery. I cannot predict what will happen if Maine gear entangles a right whale, however it is possible that resulting federal regulatory restrictions on the Maine lobster fishery could be catastrophic – including extensive additional prohibitions on the use of traditional gear. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:35
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