IFAW and lobstermen team up to protect North Atlantic right whales by replacing 3,250 miles of dangerous lobster gear

[Guest guest]

Here is the latest update on IFAW's work to protect whales. Yesterday, we

launched our lobstergear buyback project to protect the waters off the coast of

Massachusetts for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. We are working with

about 300 Massachusetts lobstermen who are exchanging their old rope for more

whale friendly rope that sinks to the bottom of the ocean and reduces

entanglements.

 

Let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information,

 

Kerry

 

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

International Fund for Animal Welfare

75 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

kbranon

www.ifaw.org

 

 

 

IFAW and lobstermen team up to protect North Atlantic right whales by replacing

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(Yarmouth Port, MA - 20 September 2004) - IFAW (the International Fund for

Animal Welfare) today kicked off a project to make Massachusetts coastal waters

some of the most whale-safe in North America.

 

 

 

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered animals in the

world - only about 300 remain - and one of the biggest threats to its survival

is the accidental entanglement in fishing gear.

 

 

 

Traditional rope that connects lobster traps floats upward like the humps on a

camel, creating a dangerous tangle under the water for whales to swim through.

Right whales get entangled in the rope when they are diving and feeding,

jeopardizing their ability to breathe, eat, swim and mate.

 

 

 

Nearly three quarters of the North Atlantic right whale population shows

scarring or other signs of injury from fishing gear and nearly one dozen North

Atlantic right whales have been entangled over the past two years.

 

 

 

" Many of the whale entanglements are fatal and, in the case of the North

Atlantic right whale, every single death threatens the survival of the entire

species, " said Fred O'Regan, president of IFAW. " North Atlantic right whales are

literally on the verge of extinction and two of the most critically important

habitats on the east coast are right here off of Massachusetts. "

 

 

 

IFAW's project will remove up to 3,250 miles and 220 tons of lobster rope off

the coast of Massachusetts and replace it with whale-safe lobster gear. The

pilot project is a unique collaboration between IFAW, Congressman Bill Delahunt

(MA), Senator Edward M. Kennedy (MA), the Massachusetts Division of Marine

Fisheries (DMF) and the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association (MLA).

 

 

 

" Innovative projects such as this one are a model for fisheries work, " said Paul

Diodati, director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. " Only by

balancing the concerns of environmentalists and fishermen are we able to protect

our valuable natural resources. "

 

 

 

IFAW is providing a subsidy to Massachusetts lobstermen to replace old gear with

whale-friendly gear. If laid end to end, the amount of line IFAW is replacing

would stretch from Boston to San Francisco. This is a pilot project, which can

be replicated in other fishing areas in New England and around the world.

 

 

 

In February 2004, the U.S. Congress approved a $660,000 appropriation to help

fund IFAW's whale-friendly gear replacement project and approximately 300

Massachusetts lobstermen are participating in the program.

 

" I think this will be a major step in reducing entanglements, especially serious

ones, while at the same time assisting lobstermen in meeting the financial

challenge of modifying their gear, " said Gary Ostrom, Vice President and

spokesperson for the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association.

 

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW works to protect animals and their habitats. With offices

in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great

apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals, and other animals. To learn how to help

animals, please visit www.ifaw.org.

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

href= " http://www.ifaw.org " >www.ifaw.org</a>) works to improve the welfare of

wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

both animals and people.

 

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