The Task Force was established to study and assess the economic impacts of the annual late-winter and early-spring Large Whale Seasonal Trap Gear Closure to protect right whales.
Who we serve
The Task Force was established in 2018 by the state's Economic Bond Bill (Ch 273 § 64 of the Acts of 2018). It's purpose is to study and assess the economic impacts of the Large Whale Seasonal Trap Gear Closure ("Closure") on the commercial lobster fishery. Specifically, the task force is to evaluate: (1) the financial impacts of the Closure on individual fishermen; (2) the additional economic impacts of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to extend the Closure beyond April 30; and (3) existing programs to assist fishermen whose ability to earn an income has been impacted by the Closure.
The membership of the Task Force is established by law and consists of the following members or their designees: the Director of DMF, who shall serve as chair; the secretary of labor and workforce development; and five persons appointed by the governor. The five Governor's appointees are to include a representative from the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, a representative from the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, a representative from the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership, a representative from the South Shore Lobster Fishermen's Association, and representative from the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association.
The North Atlantic right whale (right whale) is critically endangered. The species current population is estimated at just over 400 individuals and this number has been declining over the past decade due to continued mortality and low calf production. Entanglements in fixed fishing gear represent a major source of human induced mortality. Cape Cod Bay serves as an important seasonal habitat for these whales, as a large proportion of them known population aggregate in the area during the winter and early spring to feed on zooplankton.
The Closure was implemented to prevent right whales from becoming potentially entangled in trap gear as they use this critical habitat. The Closure occurs annually from February 1 - April 30 within the waters of Cape Cod Bay and adjacent waters to the north and east. During the Closure it is unlawful for any fisherman to fish, set, store, or abandon trap gear within the restricted area. DMF may extended the Closure, or a portion thereof, as reasonably necessary to protect right whales from injury and mortality if they persist in the area after April 30.
The Closure was first implemented by NOAA Fisheries as a component of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan for 2015. As a result, the overarching federal rule applies to all commercial trap gear in both state and federal waters. DMF later established complementary state regulations to allow for better enforcement of this conservation measure and to extend the Closure to recreational lobster and crab trap gear.
Upcoming Task Force Meetings:
TBD
Past Task Force Meetings:
September 23, 2019 - Hanover Public Library (5PM)
Current Task Force Membership:
Dan McKiernan - Chair - Acting Director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Ken Messina - Department of Labor and Workforce Development
David Casoni - Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association
Robert Martin - Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance
Lori Caron - Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership
Angela Sanfilippo - Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association
John Haviland - South Shore Lobster Fishermen's Association
For more information regarding the Task Force, please contact Jared Silva at (617) 626-1534 or jared.silva@mass.gov.