Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
With the help of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, we developed the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan in 1997 to reduce the level of serious injury and mortality of three strategic stocks of large whales (North Atlantic right, humpback, and fin) in commercial gillnet and trap/pot fisheries.
Overview
We implemented the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce injuries and deaths of large whales due to incidental entanglement in fishing gear. The Plan is an evolving plan that changes as we learn more about why whales become entangled and how fishing practices might be modified to reduce the risk of entanglement. It has several components including restrictions on where and how gear can be set; research into whale populations and whale behavior, as well as fishing gear interactions and modifications; outreach to inform and collaborate with fishermen and other stakeholders; and a large whale disentanglement program.
The Plan
History
With the help of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, we developed the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan in 1997 to reduce the level of serious injury and mortality of three strategic stocks of large whales (North Atlantic right, humpback, and fin) in commercial gillnet and trap/pot fisheries. The measures identified in the Plan were also intended to benefit minke whales, which are not designated as a strategic stock, but are known to be incidentally injured or killed in gillnet and trap/pot fisheries.
The Plan has been modified on several occasions, most recently in 2015. Development of and modifications to the Plan requires a review of the final stock assessment report for each marine mammal addressed by the Plan and any substantial new information.
Requirements
The Plan includes requirements such as use of weak links and sinking groundline, gear marking, seasonal area closures, and a minimum number of traps per trawl. For the most recent requirements see the outreach guide for your location and gear type.
The Team
The team is composed of fishermen, scientists, conservationists, and state and federal officials from Maine to Florida. They help the agency monitor progress of the Plan and advise on needed improvements
Recent Team Meetings
April 2019
Providence, RI
Meeting Summary (PDF, 15 pages)
October 2018
Providence, RI
Meeting Summary (PDF, 21 pages)
April 2018
Warwick,RI
Meeting Summary (PDF, 15 pages)
March 2018
Providence, RI
Meeting Summary (PDF, 10 pages)
February 2018
Conference Calls
Meeting Summary (PDF, 6 pages)
Meeting Summary (PDF, 6 pages)
November 2017
Conference Call
Meeting Summary (PDF, 8 pages)
April 2017
Providence, RI
Meeting Summary (PDF, 23 pages)
November 2016
Conference Call
Meeting Summary (PDF, 5 pages)
May 2016
Gloucester, MA
Meeting Summary (PDF, 4 pages) [
November 2015
Conference Call
Meeting Summary (PDF, 7 pages)
January 2015
Providence, RI
Meeting Summary (PDF, 15 pages)
Outreach
Outreach Guides
Trap/Pot
Northeast (PDF, 41 pages)
Mid-Atlantic (PDF, 20 pages)
Southeast (PDF, 18 pages)
Southeast Blue Crab (PDF, 2 pages)
North Carolina Black Sea Bass (PDF, 2 pages)
South Carolina/Georgia Black Sea Bass (PDF, 2 pages)
Florida Black Sea Bass (PDF, 2 pages)
Gillnet
Northeast (PDF, 27 pages)
Mid-Atlantic (PDF, 20 pages)
Southeast (PDF, 20 pages)
Gear Guide Supplements (PDF, 25 pages)
Entanglement Reports
2017 Atlantic Large Whale Entanglement Report (PDF, 103 pages)
2016 Atlantic Large Whale Entanglement Report (PDF, 115 pages)
2015 Atlantic Large Whale Entanglement Report (PDF, 85 pages)
2014 Atlantic Large Whale Entanglement Report (PDF, 57 pages)
More Information
Marine Mammal Take Reduction Plans and Teams
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team Members
Right Whales and Entanglements: More on How NOAA Makes Decisions
Monitoring Strategy (PDF, 22 pages)
Protected Species Gear Research
Contact: Colleen Coogan, Greater Atlantic Region, Take Reduction Team Coordinator, 978-281-9181
