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Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule

Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule. Mid-Atlantic Council Meeting August 15, 2013. ALWTRP Revisions Purpose and Need. Serious injury and mortality of large whales (including highly endangered right whales) remains too high

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Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule

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  1. Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction PlanProposed Rule Mid-Atlantic Council Meeting August 15, 2013

  2. ALWTRP RevisionsPurpose and Need • Serious injury and mortality of large whales (including highly endangered right whales) remains too high • Proposed changes would strengthen current measures designed to protect large whales under MMPA • Large whales continue to be entangled in vertical lines (pot/trap and gill net gear)

  3. ALWTRP • DEIS contains six alternatives • Primary purpose is to reduce the number of vertical lines in the ocean • Improve gear marking

  4. Northeast Measures • Increase in number of pots/traps per trawl (vertical line reduction) • Seasonal closures for pot/trap fisheries in areas surrounding Cape Cod Bay, Jordan Basin, and Jeffrey’s Ledge • Increase size and frequency of current gear marking scheme for pot/trap and gill net fisheries

  5. Mid-Atlantic Measures • Continue monitoring and increase outreach to improve compliance with ALWTRP • Request that state partners provide annual gear characterization reports (effort monitoring) • Increase size and frequency of current gear marking scheme for pot/trap and gill net fisheries

  6. Southeast Measures • Set maximum breaking strength of weak links (600 #) and buoy lines (2200 #) • Establish new pot/trap management area based on current GN areas • One buoy line/trap (no multiple trap trawls) • Gear must be returned to shore at termination of trip (Fed waters)

  7. Southeast Measures cont. • Gear must be returned to shore at termination of trip (Fed waters) • Require sinking buoy lines (except where line attaches to buoy) and must be free of objects • Increase size and frequency of current gear marking scheme for pot/trap and gill net fisheries

  8. Public Comment Deadlines • DEIS - by September 13, 2013 • Proposed Rule – September 16, 2013 • Comments received verbally at public hearings • FAX – 978-281-9394 • Mail

  9. Public Comment • Comments received verbally at public hearings (16) • FAX – 978-281-9394 • Mail : Mary Colligan, NMFS (55 Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 09130) • Email: NMFS.NER.whale@noaa.gov

  10. Remaining Public Hearings

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