Federal Right Whale Protection Program Viewed as Flawed

A federal proposal to help conserve the endangered Right Whale species is being seen as flawed by both proponents and opponents alike. According to the Kennebec Journal, environmentalists working to help sustain the Right Whale feel that the federal plan doesn't go far enough while lobstermen think it goes too far.

According to the Kennebec Journal, the federal proposal aims to reduce the number of Right Whale deaths by limiting the number of vertical lines from the surface to the ocean floor. One way this is done is by requiring lobstermen to use multiple traps on one buoy line. This in turn would allow fishermen to run the same number of traps just with fewer buoys and vertical lines. Additionally the proposal aims to get lobstermen to use a weaker line so if a Right Whale becomes entangled it will snap allowing the whale to swim free.

Whaling is also another reason for the dwindling population of this massive mammal. As seen in a YouTube video from NOAA, there are many reasons that the Right Whale has made it to the endangered species list.

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