Whale Safer Lobster Fishing

Good for Fishermen, Good for Whales

WHALE ENTANGLEMENT

Since 2005, researchers have discovered more than 21 North Atlantic right whales entangled in fishing gear, while three-quarters of all right whales bear scars from encounters with ropes and other fishing gear. Photo: NOAA

Lobstermen and whales: both have become beloved symbols of the New England coast over the course of history, and now both are struggling to survive modern times. For lobstermen, skyrocketing fuel prices and more competition on the water have driven down their bottom line. For the North Atlantic right whale, entanglement in fishing gear often leads to suffering and death, putting this endangered species at risk for extinction.

Ocean Conservancy recognizes the importance of the lobster fishery to local economies, and has been working to find solutions that will benefit not only whales but lobstermen as well. We recommend the use of fishing gear that is safer for whales, along with less gear in the water.

The Problem

Fishing for lobsters poses a significant threat to whales; in Maine alone, fishermen use enough rope to go around the Earth four times. The ropes run between "trawls" of two to 25 lobster pots connected together by groundlines and set on the ocean floor. Ropes are also used as endlines that connect traps to surface buoys that mark their location on the water's surface. Whales skimming the water for food get these ropes caught in their mouths or around their fins. They may drown if entanglement prevents them from reaching the surface to breathe. Or they die more slowly, weakened from dragging heavy ropes for months and suffering from infections when the rope cuts into their flesh.

Since 2005, researchers have discovered more than 21 North Atlantic right whales entangled in fishing gear. That’s 21 out of a total population of just about 400 whales, which could mark the tipping point towards extinction for this iconic species. Three-quarters of all right whales bear scars from encounters with ropes and other fishing gear. In the winter of 2008-09, researchers tracking the whales on their southern migration to waters off the coast of Georgia and Florida documented five right whales entangled in fishing gear more than twice as many entangled whales as in previous years. Gear from one of the whales was removed and has been identified as Canadian lobster gear. Researchers are still evaluating gear from the other four whales.

Highly trained disentanglement teams are dispatched when entangled whales are sighted, weather permitting. While many disentanglement attempts have been successful, these efforts are risky to both whales and humans, and are costly. Disentanglement efforts are critical to the survival of individual whales, but can not be relied upon to save the species. The goal is to prevent whales from becoming entangled in the first place.

Solving the problem of whale entanglements will require innovation and creativity. Ocean Conservancy believes there is a better way for both lobster fisheries and for whales.

What Ocean Conservancy Is Doing to Help

Ocean Conservancy has pushed for protections and fought delays to address risk to whales from both groundlines and endlines. Groundlines connect a string of traps together, and endlines connect traps to the surface and are marked by a buoy. Both groundlines and endlines have been found on entangled whales.

In 2007, Ocean Conservancy fought to have a federal sinking groundline requirement finalized. Groundlines typically float in the water column whereas sinking groundlines have negative buoyancy and sink to the bottom, out of harm’s way for whales. These regulations will finally become effective on April 6, 2009.

In 2008, Ocean Conservancy helped launch the Whale Safer campaign in Massachusetts, teaming up with the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society to promote Massachusetts lobstermen's use of sinking line in groundlines in advance of federal regulations. A "whale safer" band around the claws of lobsters caught in Massachusetts identifies them at market for consumers. The partnership seeks to set an example for other fisheries and raise awareness of the threats to whales from fishing line.

In Maine, the state with the most lobster gear in the water, Ocean Conservancy is proposing a reduction in the amount of endlines in the water by 50-75 percent. It is a solution that is good for whales -- and good for the lobster fishery. Compelling data indicates that cutting the number of lobster traps in the water can save endangered whales, reduce effort and expenses to the lobster industry all while maintaining constant harvest levels of lobsters.

What You Can Do to Help

• Join Ocean Conservancy's online community to learn more and stay up-to-date on ocean issues.
• When buying lobster, let your supplier know about the plight of whales, and tell them you’d prefer to purchase lobsters caught using gear that is safer for whales.