The federal government on Thursday released a new report saying the lobster fishery poses a risk to the endangered North Atlantic right whale population.
The assessment, conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service, is expected to have a severe impact on the fishery. The long-term ramifications “remain troubling,” Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement.
The assessment calls for the fishery to reduce the potential for serious injury and death to right whales by 60% over the coming decade. Based on periodic evaluations during that time, the risk reduction target could be increased to 87% in 2030.
“The lobster fishery as we know it will not exist if this is fully implemented,” the Maine Lobstermen’s Association said in a statement. Maine is home to the nation’s largest lobster fishery, and brought in a catch of over $400 million last year despite the pandemic.
Mills Administration Statement on NOAAâs Release of Bi-Op
May 27, 2021
Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Marine Resources Pat Keliher issued the following statements today on the release of the Biological Opinion, or Bi-Op, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
âThe Department of Marine Resources will conduct a thorough evaluation of the Bi-Op, but upon initial review, we are pleased that âno jeopardyâ was found,â
said Governor Janet Mills. âHowever, the long-term ramifications of this document as it relates to the recovery of right whales and its impact on Maine fisheries over the next ten years remain troubling. In particular, the Bi-Op highlights not only the importance of Canada taking significant steps to reduce right whale mortality, but also the need for NOAA to be able to quantify how risk reduction measures by Canada can reverse the declining trend in the whale population. Failure of either could ultimately lead to
State leaders, fisherman target NOAA right whale proposals
Maine s Congressional delegation is asking President Biden to help protect the lobster industry from proposed regulations aimed at protecting right whales. Author: Don Carrigan Updated: 10:59 PM EST February 25, 2021
AUGUSTA, Maine Lobsterman John Drouin said in his 42 years of fishing around Cutler, he has never seen a right whale. Many other Maine lobstermen have said the same thing about their experience on the water.
But that may not matter.
NOAA Fisheries, the federal office regulating fishing activity in the northeast, is close to making final recommendations to protect the right whale, and the current indications are the federal plan could deal a severe blow to Maine’s lobster industry.