After a flurry of opposition from Maine politicians and no sign of whales, the federal government yesterday reversed its decision to temporarily ban lobstermen from using floating rope in the waters off Machias.
The National Marine Fisheries Service on Oct. 12 said it would establish a temporary Dynamic Area Management zone in 841 square nautical miles off Down East Maine because three northern right whales were sighted in early October in the area. The use of floating rope, a piece of gear common here, is prohibited in DAM zones. The NMFS reversed its decision after a fly over found no evidence that the northern right whales were still in the area, according to a press release.
This decision was independent of the gear requirement set to go into effect October 2008 that will force all lobstermen to exchange floating rope for sinking rope primarily to protect right whales.
