NOAA Fisheries will add $1.6 million in federal funds to current funding levels to support additional recovery actions for the North Atlantic right whale. The $1.6 million will support reducing the risk of entanglement of right whales in fishing gear while assisting the lobster fishing industry in adapting to the impacts of new measures.
These funds will assist the lobster fishing industry in complying with pending regulations and help to defray costs to support fishermen broadly.
NOAA Fisheries plans to work through its partner, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), to expend these funds. Once we have the details worked out with the ASMFC, we will share that information.
The North Atlantic right whale is endangered and fisheries gear entanglements and vessel strikes are among the leading causes of deaths in both the U.S. and Canada. NOAA Fisheries and our partners are dedicated to conserving and rebuilding the North Atlantic right whale population.
