The North Atlantic right whale, one of the most endangered species on Earth, faces a growing threat. With fewer than 350 individuals left, these gentle giants navigate a minefield of lobster fishing gear in their East Coast habitats. Entanglement in fishing lines, particularly from lobster traps, is a leading cause of death for these whales, making their survival increasingly precarious.

Entanglements Are Deadly

Entanglements in fishing gear kill and injure right whales every year. These heavy ropes, attached to lobster traps resting on the ocean floor, become tangled around the whales, restricting their movement and ability to feed. The wounds caused by these ropes can lead to infections, starvation, or worse. In some cases, the whales become so entangled that they cannot escape, leading to a slow and painful death.

In early 2024, a young female right whale washed ashore on Martha’s Vineyard, with rope from Maine lobster gear tightly wound around her tail. Despite efforts to disentangle her, the whale’s death highlighted the ongoing danger posed by traditional fishing methods used by lobstermen in New England, according to WBUR.

 

The Challenge of Change

While the whale’s death was tragic, it underscored a broader dilemma: how to balance the needs of a vital industry with conservation efforts. The lobster industry is a cornerstone of the New England economy, especially in Maine, where millions of pounds of lobster are caught annually, contributing significantly to local livelihoods. However, with right whales increasingly threatened, many argue that changes in fishing practices are overdue.

New fishing gear technology, like “ropeless” traps, offers a potential solution. These traps eliminate the need for the floating ropes that pose such a threat to whales. When a lobsterman needs to retrieve the trap, they activate a device that sends the rope to the surface, minimizing the time any rope is in the water. As the Maine Morning Star reports, federal agencies are investing millions in developing and testing these ropeless traps in the hope of saving the whales without disrupting the fishing industry.

 

Resistance from Lobstermen

Despite the promise of this technology, many lobstermen remain skeptical. The high cost of the gear, technical challenges, and fears of lost traps are significant barriers. A single ropeless trap can cost thousands of dollars, a steep price compared to the traditional gear that costs a fraction of that amount. Moreover, lobstermen worry that the new traps will malfunction or be difficult to retrieve, leaving them with lost gear and financial losses.

“The cost and uncertainty around these new traps could be the end of Maine’s lobster industry as we know it,” Matt Weber, a lobsterman from Monhegan Island, told Reuters.

Weber’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment among many in the industry who feel that the push for ropeless technology might spell economic disaster for small, family-run operations.

On-Demand Gear: A Step Toward Coexistence

Some lobstermen are beginning to work with scientists to test new gear in restricted areas. According to NOAA’s Henry Milliken, who oversees a gear library offering ropeless traps for trials, many lobstermen are learning how to use the technology. Milliken told The Marine Mammal Commission that these trials are yielding promising results, with an 85 percent success rate during recent tests.

However, the technology is still in its early stages. Even with federal funding, the ropeless traps are not yet widely accessible, and there is no legal requirement for lobstermen to use them. For now, the government has enacted seasonal closures in high-risk areas, limiting when and where lobstermen can set their traps. These closures, while necessary for whale conservation, further complicate the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry.

The Path Forward

The fate of the North Atlantic right whale and the future of the lobster industry are intertwined. For many conservationists, adopting new fishing gear is the only viable solution. Erica Fuller, senior counsel for the Conservation Law Foundation, told WBUR that immediate action is necessary, and that delaying change could push the species to extinction.

“Entanglements are a constant threat to right whales, cutting their lives short and painting a disheartening future for this species,” Fuller said. “There have been concerns about the threat Maine fishing gear poses to right whales for years. It’s time to move forward with new fishing practices to give these endangered whales a chance at survival.”

For now, both sides remain at odds. Lobstermen are wary of the economic implications of new gear, while environmentalists fear that without significant changes, the right whale may not survive the next decade. With only about 350 individuals left, time is running out for these majestic creatures. Yet, as the debate continues, one thing is clear: finding a way to protect right whales without destroying a centuries-old industry is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.

The entanglement of right whales in lobster fishing gear is a problem that cannot be ignored. Conservationists and scientists alike are working tirelessly to find solutions that will protect these endangered whales without crippling the lobster industry. While progress has been made in developing ropeless gear, the path forward remains fraught with challenges.

The future of both the right whale and the lobster industry depends on whether a balance can be struck—one that protects livelihoods while ensuring that these majestic creatures have a fighting chance to survive.

Click below to take action for right whales.