Three rare North Atlantic right whales photographed in Cape Cod Bay by Center for Coastal Studies aerial survey team on February 21, 2016.
CCS image taken under NOAA permit #14603-1.
HYANNIS – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expressing concern about the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s decision to withdraw from the Take Reduction Team Agreement.
The agreement, made by multiple regional agencies, aims to reduce the risk of putting North Atlantic right whales in harms way.
With only around 400 right whales remaining–95 of which are breeding females–the right whale is critically endangered.
NOAA is required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act to implement Take Reduction Plans.
The lobstermen’s group withdrew support in August, citing “serious flaws in the data.”
The Take Reduction Team agreement, made in April, called upon Maine lobstermen to reduce the risk of harming right whales by 60 percent.
NOAA is reviewing the letter submitted by MLA, which claims the major risks of right whale injury and mortality does not lie within the lobster fishery industry.
Instead, the MLA said the major risks come from ship strikes, gillnets, and the Canadian snow crab industry.
Members from MLA have expressed interest in continuing to work with NOAA and the Take Reduction Team for the protection of right whales. NOAA has said they would be ready to assist in any possible way.
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