By Mr. Kocot of Northampton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 789) of Peter V. Kocot and Jennifer M. Callahan relative to the use of whale safe lobstering and fishing gear in the Commonwealth.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Peter V. Kocot

Jennifer M. Callahan

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to whale safe fishing.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.

                Section 2 of chapter 21A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following subsection: -

                “(30) allocate not less than $250,000 per year to the division of marine fisheries to establish a research and grant program to develop and distribute whale safe lobstering and fishing gear, including, but not limited to affordable, durable and abrasion-resistant non-buoyant ground line.”