Conservation of protected marine species

DMF works on protecting certain marine mammals and reptiles that use Massachusetts waters. The federal Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act protect these animals. Our projects includes studying animals migration patterns and reducing human impact.

Read on to learn about the work we've done with protected species in past years. You can also see archived reports and links to helpful sites to learn more.

This program involves surveillance of right whales to ensure their safety. DMF conducts this service in Cape Cod Bay and surrounding waters. The Center for Coastal Studies and NOAA Fisheries are partners on the program.

In 1997, NOAA carried out regulations to reduce injury and death of large whales due to entanglement in fishing gear. This became known as the Take Reduction Plan. DMF has been a part of the Plan since its birth. NOAA proposed amendments to the Plan in 2014. These amendments included expanded gear marking and a fixed gear closure from February to April in the Massachusetts Bay Restricted Area.

This project consists of a rapid response network to large whales entangled in fishing gear. DMF, the Center for Coastal Studies, NOAA and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust partner on this program.

DMF partners with Center for Coastal Studies to disentangle leatherback sea turtles. Leatherbacks tend to become entangled in vertical lines from fixed fishing gear.