
Back Shore Sky…photo: Trudy Clemens

My View of Life on the Dock
Over the last 30 years, the Massachusetts Lobster industry has been at the
forefront on right whale conservation measures while working vigorously to
further protect the species. The 30 years of conservation measures have come at the expense of the commercial lobstermen and yet, they are still at the table looking for more ways to reduce risk.
Recently, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s (MBA) Seafood Watch program added the American Lobster to its “Red List” of seafoods to avoid. This recent listing is neither warranted nor supported by the data here in Massachusetts. Massachusetts commercial lobstermen are mandated to a 100% reporting threshold and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has 30 plus years of data necessary to debunk why Massachusetts lobster should not be on this “Red List”.
Massachusetts commercial lobstermen are 30 years ahead of the rest of the region when it comes to reducing risk to the right whales. Currently, Massachusetts commercial lobstermen have reduced risk by 92% to the right whales and this listing is misleading to the general public and should be retracted immediately.
Massachusetts is doing more than any other state or region
for the protection of right whales all the while maintaining
a sustainable resource and profitable commercial lobster
fishery. The Massachusetts American Lobster should be
listed on the “Green List” of seafoods to buy.
There have been ZERO Right Whale deaths attributed
to Massachusetts Lobster gear and the MBA’s conclusion snubs all of the right whale conservation efforts that Massachusetts commercial lobstermen have implemented such as:
1935- International ban on hunting whales goes into effect
1970- North Atlantic Right Whales listed as endangered
1996- NOAA implements the Large Whale Take
Reduction Plan
1997-MA requirement for “breakaway” features in
gillnets and trap/pot buoy lines Seasonal ban in Cape
Cod Bay for gillnets and on use of floating rope between
traps, dedicated aerial surveys begin in Cape Cod Bay
2004 – First in Nation for year-round ban on floating
rope between traps in Cape Cod Bay (9,000 miles
removed)
2007 – First in Nation for year-round ban on use of
floating rope between traps statewide
2014- First in Nation- MA Restricted Area is created –
3-month closure Feb-April to 3,071 sq. miles 2015 – 3
month (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the MA
Restricted Area
2016 – 3 months (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the
MA Restricted Area
2017 – 3 month (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the
MA Restricted Area PLUS 4-day extension of the gear closure in Cape Cod Bay 2018 – 3 month (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the MA Restricted Area PLUS a 15-day extension of the gear closure and speed restriction (10 mph) for small vessels in Cape Cod Bay
2019- 3 month (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the MA Restricted Area
2020 – 3 month (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the MA Restricted Area
2021 – 3 (Feb/Apr) closure to all pots/traps in the MA Restricted Area PLUS a 15-day extension of the gear closure and speed restriction (10 mph) for small vessels in Cape Cod Bay 2022 – Southern N.E. closed 5,648 sq. miles est. right whale population 350. Making the total sq. miles 11,722 closed to lobstering.
Over the last 5 years, the Massachusetts Lobster
Foundation in collaboration with the Massachusetts
Lobstermen’s Association and Ketcham Trap developed
weaker red and candy cane rope breaking at 1,700 lbs.,
with a MASS LOBSTER tracer ribbon.
The commercial lobstermen in Massachusetts have been
fishing this weakened rope for 4 years now without many
issues. We are working with Ketcham Trap on every
iteration to make it a little better but still weak to keep the
fishermen fishing.
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Drive for a better environment, provided grant funding to further Massachusetts commercial lobstermen’s conservation efforts on behalf of right whales and all whale species. To learn more about all of the Massachusetts right whale conservation measures, please visit the Lobster Foundation of Massachusetts at http://www.lobsterfoundationofma.org September 13, 2022
Dream Boat…
Pauline is a wonderful giving woman and proud to have her as a friend.
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My boys are now 8th grade and a Sophomore in High School. I didn’t get a single back-to-school photo this year. Sigh. I did, however, snap this photo last week while driving by the famous window display at the Howard’s Flying Dragon Antique Store in Essex. The message in the window for back to school….”Lunch Box.”
The tides have been pretty high this week with the full harvest moon and Good Harbor Beach wears a high tide very well. The creekside rock was surrounded (that’s GMG Jim watching from the car) and someone is building their version of sand castles near the footbridge. Always an interesting stroll down on Good Harbor Beach!
Tee Off for a Great Cause! There are only a few weeks left until ourfirst ever Glen T. MacLeod Cape Ann Golf Tournament on October 3rdat beautifulBass Rocks Golf Club, This event supports our Y and the critical resources it provides to our community. There are a few foursomes left so register today or become a sponsor.#YPeopleYPlacesYPurpose ![]() |
Click here for all the tournament details |
Fall into Fun at the Y
Fromswim lessons,gymnasticstopersonal training,pickleball, and more, there is something for every age and every interest this fall at the Y! Register for Swim LessonsView all Programs | ![]() |
There is still Time to Complete this Month’s Challenge- You Can Do It! |
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Learn more |
Stott Pilates – Coming Soon!
We’re so excited to bring Pilates to our Y! Pilates is an excellent physical exercise with a focus on concentration, centering and… |
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