BOURNE (AP) — Federal officials will meet with fishermen and other members of the public in Bourne today to talk about possible changes to rules designed to protect vulnerable whales.
North Atlantic right whales number only about 400. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is looking for comments on new management options.
NOAA has held similar meetings this summer in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine.
Among the changes, a federal team has called for a reduction of the vertical trap lines in the Gulf of Maine to reduce risk to North Atlantic right whales.
Right whales have suffered high mortality and poor reproduction in recent years, particularly in 2017.