PROJECTS: Whale Friendly Lobster Gear

The Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation is working with lobstermen on gear research aimed at meeting the requirements of the new federal whale plan. The new federal whale plan seeks to reduce the profile of ground lines used in lobster gear to protect large whales.

GOMLF has received funds from the Northeast Consortium to collaborate with the Northeast Bycatch Consortium (NEBC) administered through the New England Aquarium (NEAq) and the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in testing experimental rope technologies. Both NEAq and DMR are developing experimental rope for testing by the fishing industry, but do not have a mechanism to test the rope’s profile in the water. Data on rope profiles will be critical to demonstrate the level of risk the rope poses to whales, and determine its operational feasibility for the lobster industry.

GOMLF work on this project includes:

• Coordinating field research with lobstermen
• Standardizing and coordinating data collection among industry and scientists
• Developing a logbook for fishermen to record their data
• Provide scientific equipment (pressure sensors) to collect quantitative data on rope profiles
• Recording operational feasibility and gear performance
• Analyzing data and providing a report

Field testing of experimental rope by lobstermen began in the Fall of 2005. GOMLF is incorporating the methodologies developed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries during their successful research on lobster rope profiles in 2004. GOMLF is providing Star Oddi mini data loggers (temperature and depth recorders) to measure the profile of the DMR and NEAq ropes as they are being fished over time. A preliminary report of the Fall pilot rope deployments will be available in early spring 2006.