Regarding the lobster industry, Maine's Gulf dominates the market contributing nearly 80% of the total number of lobsters caught within the whole of the United States. As one of the fastest warming bodies of water on Earth, the Gulf is a suitable habitat for these crustaceans and other aquatic creatures which thrive in warmer temperatures. With cooler climates near the Gulf of Maine, it's the perfect migration point for animals who rely on the warmth for survival, including North Atlantic right whales.
Whales play an essential role in supporting oceanic plankton's production and life cycle, providing humans with the necessary oxygen to support life on land and help maintain fish populations, cycling nutrients throughout the entire aquatic system. Once the region's water temperatures start to rise, pods of these enormous creatures begin to make their way into the Gulf, temporarily sharing a home, and clashing with, Maine's lobster industry.
Historically, fishermen working along the state's coastline have been able to sustainably maintain Maine's lobster population by hauling large scales of catch in nets and traps during peak season. This is the same timeframe migrating North Atlantic right whales make their way into the waters, creating an unfavorable environment for the pods. Fishing nets, set up to entrap lobsters, affect whales similarly.
The giant creatures are often entangled within the traps. The nets stuck to their tails, flippers, heads, and mouths. In an effort to free themselves from the web, the whales panic creating a painful and grueling experience that typically only serves to tangle them into the net further eventually causing them to drown in the process. Many whales are discovered dead by fishermen, still caught in the same nets they were attempting to escape, contributing to nearly 85% of the total deaths of North Atlantic right whales.
To slow down the growing crisis and save the whales from unnecessary death, new legislation was introduced within the region. The law required fishermen in the area to replace the once used floating rope nets with sinking rope instead, reducing the number of accidental entrapments in the area. Although the regulations helped to protect the whales, they didn't prevent all deaths, and Maine's lobster industry, a significant contributor to the state's economy, took a hit.
A new practice using bright colors was employed to bridge the gap between the dangerous floating nets and the sinking rope that heavily impacted fishermen. Believing that whales could see red and orange more clearly than the colors traditionally used on ropes, fishermen began spray painting their traps to help them more easily see them. Although it was a step in the right direction, the long-term goal of preventing whales from getting tangled in fishing traps has yet to be met.
A more concentrated effort must be made to protect these endangered creatures. Maine has been globally recognized as a leader in the lobster industry for many years and flourishes. A better system must be implemented in order to target the lobsters while protecting the whales effectively. Imagine what a mark it would leave if The Gulf of Maine were also the leader in protecting engaged aquatic species and saving lives.
