Blowback mounts against 4 months lobstering ban off Massachusetts coast to protect whales
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Patriot Ledger] By Jessica Trufant - July 23, 2014 -
Lobsterman Michael Duane gets by without a paycheck for two-and-a half months each year, but he says going much longer than that would be difficult.
Duane could face that reality next winter, as new regulations set by the National Marine Fisheries Service ban the use of lobster trap and pot gear from Jan. 1 to April 30 off much of the state's coast.
The measure aims to eliminate whale entanglements with lobster gear. "We eliminated all floating rope between traps," Duane said. "All entanglements I've heard of have been offshore with heavy, heavy rope, and we use none of that."
State officials and industry stakeholders plan to challenge the rules, which are part of the National Marine Fisheries Service's new Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
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