Seventy-five endangered North Atlantic right whales have been seen this week just off the western edge of Jeffreys Ledge.
I am strongly urging any lobster fisherman with gear in the vicinity of the right whales on Jeffreys Ledge to move their gear to another area until surveys indicate that the whales have moved on.
I don't have to tell you that within the last year, Maine gear was found for the first time on a deceased right whale. The ramifications of another entanglement in Maine gear could be devastating to your fishery. I cannot predict what will happen if Maine gear entangles a right whale, however it is possible that resulting federal regulatory restrictions on the Maine lobster fishery could be catastrophic - including extensive additional prohibitions on the use of traditional gear.
Given the close attention being paid to these whales, there is potential for any entanglement that might occur to be linked not just to the Maine fishery, but potentially to an individual fisherman.
Also, it's important to note that boats of any size can injure or kill a whale if a collision occurs. Therefore, I urge you to reduce your speed to less than 10 knots when transiting the area near Jeffreys Ledge until further notice.
The future of this fishery is in your hands. Failure to act by a few fishermen in this area will have far-reaching impacts to all who depend on this fishery if a right whale is entangled. Please take personal responsibility and shift gear to eliminate the risk to whales and to the future of the Maine lobster fishery.
I will continue to monitor this situation and will reach out to you as we have additional information.
Patrick Keliher
Commissioner
Maine Department of Marine Resources