MAINE PUBLIC • September 23, 2021
New federal regulations to protect endangered right whales will close an area off the coast of Maine during the months of October to January. Lobstermen who fish in the region will be required to seek out other territory, and also alter other practices, such as how they mark their gear. We discuss the various sides to this controversy, including how right whales are being harmed, what protections they need, how Maine's lobster fishery intersects with the whales, and what the impact of the restrictions on lobster fishing will have—including to the economy. Panelist: Pat Keliher, Maine Department of Marine Resources; VIP Callers: Fred Bever, Maine Public Radio; Sen. Angus King, U.S. Senator from Maine; Marisa Trego, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Kristan Porter, Maine Lobstermen's Association; Sean Mahoney, Conservation Law Foundation; Amy Knowlton, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium.