Lawmaker proposes more marine patrols to protect rare whales
BOSTON
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A Massachusetts state lawmaker wants to do more to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from boat collisions and fishing gear entanglements by increasing marine patrols.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr added an amendment to the $47 billion state budget to earmark another $250,000 for the Massachusetts Environmental Police to conduct more whale patrols in state waters, The Salem News reported Tuesday.
The additional funding would provide for an “intensive surveillance process” to monitor whales, prevent interactions with vessels and remove abandoned “ghost fishing gear” that causes entanglements, the Gloucester Republican said.