![Deceased Right Whale Deceased right whale in dirt surrounded by people](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Slide1.png?itok=3KaWEpox)
For many years Maine lobster fishermen have maintained that their gear is not involved in right whale entanglements. Nevertheless, many scientists believed that this had more to do with cryptic entanglements in which very few entanglements are observed and thus there would not be an opportunity to study from where the entangling gear originated. The industry has aggressively argued that its gear is not involved in entanglements, and Congressional members such as Susan Collins stalled NOAA's attempts to implement regulatory reforms with support from Maine Governor Janet Mills (see https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-announces-more-…).
Despite the determination by NOAA scientists that Maine inshore lobster gear (lines) is responsible for the death of this right whale off Martha's Vineyard, you can anticipate some push back and spin from the industry about this finding.
Featured Bycatch Species
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The small population of North Atlantic right whales is in danger of extinction.