The House Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday approved legislation to delay protections for an endangered whale to avoid restrictions on New England lobster and crab fisheries.
H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, from Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine), would freeze any new rules for lobster and Jonah crab fisheries until 2035, extending an existing hold that expires in 2028.
North Atlantic right whales are highly endangered, with only around 380 whales remaining. Primary threats to their survival include vessel strikes and entanglement with fishing gear.
But further precautions to protect the marine mammals could include shutting down profitable fisheries in Maine and other New England states, which Golden said could put many lobstermen out of business.
