HYANNIS – The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association is calling on the U.S. and Canadian federal governments to implement stricter restrictions for vessels traveling in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in order to strengthen Right Whale conservation efforts.
“We are strongly encouraging NOAA to continue these conversations with the Canadian government to broaden the speed restrictions,” said Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Executive Director Beth Casoni.
Recently, multiple whales were killed in Canada due to vessel strikes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Casoni said Massachusetts has incredibly strict speed restrictions in their waters, which is different than the Canadian rules.
“(The whales are) leaving the waters of the Commonwealth alive, happy, fat, and full, and then they’re transitioning into waters that don’t have the same measures. It’s really heartbreaking to see this happen,” Casoni explained.
Recently, the Canadian government enacted a speed limit of 10 knots per hour. The Lobstermen’s Association, however, does not believe that enough action has been taken.
By: BRENDAN FITZPATRICK, CapeCod.com News Center
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