In 2017 and 2018, 20 right whales died – a staggering 4% of the population – mostly from entanglements with fishing lines. Experts say even 1 death a year could doom the population.
lobster industry
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
State floats whale protection plan that would affect a fraction of state’s lobster fleet
Only 1,200 of Maine’s 5,000 licensed lobstermen have permits to fish in federal waters, where the state’s proposal would require them to add traps on each buoy line to help right whales avoid entanglement.
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Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Another View: Maine fishermen, like Maine farmers, deserve support
Fishermen also face economic stress, but only see a fraction of the subsidy.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Two Mainers, N.H. man cited in landing of too many herring
Alleged quota violations happened at a time when regulators are trying to rebuild herring stock.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Scientists ID right whale found dead in New York waters
Snake Eyes, a 40-year-old male, was last seen entangled in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in August.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve gets grant for lobster research
The organization is awarded about $250,000 to study how warming coastal waters are affecting lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Conservation group takes its case to the public with video warning of right whale’s demise
Oceana bolsters the release of a report with a clip featuring actor Sam Waterston, who says the whales ‘could go extinct in your lifetime.’ Maine’s lobster industry says it’s untrue and unfair, and releases its own video. Watch both videos here.
Posted inThe Forecaster
New coalition formed to protect fishing heritage
PORTLAND — A group of residents working to ensure continued access to Maine’s oceans for the state’s lobstermen and fishermen has formed a new coalition called Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage. The group has been advocating for lobstermen who are losing fishing grounds to aquaculture leases in some parts of the state. “This group is asking […]
Posted inMaine Voices, Op-eds, Opinion
Maine Voices: Protect traditional fisheries’ access to ocean waters
Aquaculture should be kept to a smaller scale that doesn’t get in the way of other users.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Lobstermen’s group pulls its support for proposal to protect right whales
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association says the plan to reduce buoy lines to protect the endangered species is riddled with errors and bad science.