October 3, 2024 — Federal investigators said Maine fishing gear is to blame for the death of an endangered right whale.
Maine lobstermen said they’re sad to hear about the whale’s death, but they also fear new regulations will endanger their livelihoods. The female right whale was found dead near Martha’s Vineyard in January.
This death and investigation come as new lobster fishing regulations are up for debate.
One lobsterman said fishing without using a rope isn’t that simple and it would cost significantly more.
“It’s been an ongoing battle for a number of years. We have taken and modified our gear over the years to reduce the amount of rope that we use in the water, so the industry has done a lot that it’s been asked of,” John Drouin, a lobsterman, said.