Fact Sheet: Summary of Proposed Risk Reduction Rule to Modify the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
December 30, 2020
Summary of the proposed “Risk Reduction Rule” to modify the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan for public comment. Choose the blue button to see and download the fact sheet.
To reduce the impacts of entanglement in commercial fishing gear on right whales, we are requesting comments on proposed changes to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP). These modifications are intended to achieve at least a 60 percent reduction in mortalities or serious injuries of right whales in the Northeast Jonah crab and lobster trap/pot fisheries, which deploy about 93 percent of the buoy lines fished in areas where right whales occur. In 2021, the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team will be asked to recommend risk reduction measures for other Atlantic trap/pot and gillnet fisheries.
This 4-page document contains a summary of the modifications in the proposed rule. To access the document as a pdf, please choose the blue button above.