all photos: e. burke massachusetts lobstermen’s association massachusetts division of fisheries...
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All photos: E. Burke
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
Massachusetts Lobster
Promotion and Labeling Program
American lobster is fished from Canada to New Jersey
Lobster traps are baited and fish passively on the seafloor
Massachusetts lobstermen set their gear in trawls of 10-25 pots
Groundlines connect traps to each other on the seafloor, while buoylines connect the gear to the surface
Massachusetts is the first and only state to require year-round, state-wide use of sinking groundline.
The use of sinking groundline reduces the amount of rope in the water column.
In comparison, floating groundline rises up in the water column and poses an entanglement risk to large whales.
Entanglements are a major cause of injury and mortality for large whales.
Massachusetts lobstermen doing more for whales
• Sinking groundline required year-round
• Compliance with other whale-related gear modifications
• Ghost gear removal program
The Bottom Line
Recognize their conservation efforts through education and
marketing campaign
Photo: E. Burke
Labeling and marketing campaignEducate consumersPromote Massachusetts lobster
Massachusetts Lobster
Campaign Components• Labeled lobster bands
• Brochures and posters
• Promote product
• Educate consumers
• Raise awareness about whale-gear issues
• Highlight conservation efforts of Mass lobstermen
Massachusetts
US
A -
Wild