Seventy-five endangered North AAtlantic Right Whales have been seen this week just off the western edge of Jeffrey’s Ledge.  Because of that sighting Commissioner Patrick Keliher, Commissioner of the Maine Departmet of Marine Resources, issued the followig message late this afternoon:

“I am strongly urging any lobster fishermen with gear in the vicinity of the right whales on Jeffrey’s Ledge to move their gear to another area until surveys indicate that the whales have moved on,” wrote Patrick Keliher in the press release.  “I don’t have to tell you that within the last year, Maine gear was found for the first time on a deceased right whale.  The ramifications of another entanglement in Maine gear could be devastating to your fishery.  I cannot predict what will happen if Maine gear entangles a right whale.  However, it is possible that resulting federal reglatory restrictions on the Maine lobster industry could be catastrophic – includig extensive additional prohibitions on the use of traditional gear.”

“Given the close attention being paid to these whales, there is potential for any entanglement that might occur to be linked not just to the Maine fishery, but particularly to an individual fisherman.  Also, it’s important to note that boats of any size can injure or kill a whale if a collision occurs.  Therefore, I urge you to reduce your speed to less than ten (10) knots when transiting the area new Jeffreys Ledge until further notice……”