Maine whale compliance high

First published in the MLA Newsletter, March, 2011.

In 2009, the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ (DMR) Marine Patrol conducted a pilot survey to determine how well lobstermen were complying with regulations put in place by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.

The survey looked at whether the gear had an appropriate weak link or breakaway on the vertical line or endline, whether it had a red marker halfway up the endline, and whether the gear used sinking groundlines. The survey design was collaboration between DMR’s Large Whale Conservation Program and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Regional Fishery Science Center.

Surveys were conducted in October, 2009, and March, 2010.

Methods

A grid of 1-mile-by-1-mile cells was overlaid on all non-exempt state waters and federal waters out to the 12-mile line. A series of cells was selected at random for each of six sections along the coast.

During the October surveys, a Marine Patrol vessel would conduct an expanding search pattern in a randomly selected grid cell until the entire grid cell was searched. Every piece of gear within the cell was hauled and checked for compliance with the whale regulations.

Based on the data from the October survey, 74% of all fishermen who had multiple pieces of gear hauled had their gear rigged the exact same way with regard to compliance. Marine Patrol officers realized that more individual fishermen could be checked if the grid cells served as random starts and the search patterns deviated outside of the grid cell boundaries. This change in method was used during the March surveys. Marine Patrol vessels started at the center of randomly selected cells and then commenced a search pattern, checking gear as long as time permitted.

Data Collection

All vessels had a designated data collector on board who took data while officers hauled and checked gear. The data included the fisherman’s license number, number of traps and endlines per configuration, and compliance with the weak link, line marking, and sink rope regulations.

Results/Conclusions

Surveys conducted during the two months checked 243 individual fishermen, 1,306 endlines and 3,102 traps. The overall compliance rate in all areas for both survey months was 58%. Total compliance was calculated as gear that was compliant with each of three criteria: presence of weak links, a red marker on the endline and sinking rope on the groundline.

It quickly became apparent, however, that compliance with the regulation calling for a red marker on the endline was often lower than compliance with the other regulations. By looking at the number of lobstermen compliant with just the weak link and sinking groundline requirements, the rate increased to 86% total compliance. The highest rate of compliance was with the sinking groundline regulation (93% overall). The presence of weak links on the endlines was a close second (92% overall). The line marking component was substantially less at a 61% compliance rate.

Discussion

These surveys served as pilot projects that not only yielded compliance rates with different whale regulations, but also taught many lessons on project design. The results will spur conversation not only on the definition of compliance but also on the regulations themselves: are they working and are they enforceable? This summary was presented at the TRT meeting, December, 2010.