north atlantic right whale

Deckhand Justin Middleton pulls in a crab trap off San Francisco, where new pop-up fishing gear is being piloted.

Environment

This fishing gear can help save whales. What will it take for fishermen to use it?

6:01am June 25, 2023

by Lauren Sommer

On both the East and West coasts, whales are at risk of being entangled and injured by ropes used by fishermen. Fishing grounds are being closed, but new technology could help avoid that.

Queue Listen Now

Maine is the largest lobster-producing state in the U.S. Some of the gear used to catch the crustaceans poses an entanglement risk to the endangered North American right whale population.

Environment
National

Citing risk to endangered whales, Whole Foods hits pause on Maine lobster — for now

1:39pm November 30, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Two seafood monitoring groups downgraded Maine lobster's sustainability ratings, prompting Whole Foods to pause purchases. Here's how environmental groups and state leaders are reacting.

North Atlantic right whales are at risk of extinction because they often become ensnared in ropes used to guide lobster traps along the Northeastern U.S. and Canadian coastline.

National
Science
Environment

To Save Whales, Maine's Iconic Lobster Industry May Have To Change

9:46am March 24, 2018

by Fred Bever

Scientists says to help whales, the ropes used to tend lobster traps must be changed or eliminated. Mainers who catch lobster for a living feel they're being singled out for an international problem.