PORTLAND (AP) — New federal fishing rules designed to protect whales in the Atlantic Ocean will go into effect on June 1.
The new rules represent changes to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the new rules include a new closure area called the “Massachusetts Restricted Area” that will be closed to trap pot gear from Feb. 1 to April 30. It also changes the frequency and size of buoys.
NOAA officials say they are also proposing to change the minimum number of traps-per-trawl requirements in some state waters, including in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine. It is also proposing unique gear marking requirements for trap pots and gillnets in Jordan Basin and Jeffreys Ledge. Those are two important habitats for endangered right whales.
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