As the whales are endangered animals the state officials have planned to protect the right whales by removing the fishing gear from the vessels. It is expected that there might never have the record number of right whales noshing in Cape Cod Bay this spring. The officials were working hard since January on this project. They have been clearing potentially hazardous lobster pots and other fishing gear from the area, according to State Environmental Police Lt. Peter Hanlon.
According to Hanlon the effort pulled close to 500 traps, lines and nets out of the now whale-filled bay, and several cases are pending against fishermen who allegedly violated the state’s whale safe laws. The officials seized the traps for violating whale regulations, either because the traps were in restricted areas or didn’t comply with whale safety precautions, or both, says Hanlon.
He informed that the officials filed two civil proceedings to seize the gear, and the man will likely face multiple criminal charges in Orleans District Court. Hanlon told that the state has contracts with two commercial lobstermen to help with the cleanup, which also involves the Division of Marine Fisheries and environmental police. On this instance the agencies will continue pressing warnings, citations and criminal summonses.
It is fact that the entanglement in fishing gear is a leading cause of whale deaths, second only to ship strikes. Lines can cut into whales’ skin, causing infection and disease. It is informed that more criminal and civil cases are on the line from the State Environmental Police.
