Mass. Lobstermen's Assoc. join with state reps to protest coastwide lobster trap, pot gear ban
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [The Patriot-Ledger] by Jessica Trufant - August 1, 2014
State legislators and members of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association gathered at the State House on Wednesday to voice concerns about new regulations banning the use of lobster trap and pot gear from Jan. 1 to April 30 off much of the state’s coast.
Part of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s new Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, the new rules aim to eliminate endangered right, humpback and fin whale entanglements with lobster gear as required by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Along with restrictions on where and when lobster gear can be set, the regulations order changes to equipment, such as buoy markings and trap minimums. State officials and industry plan to challenge the plan...
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