Ropeless Fishing Gear Approved in the South Atlantic
Council action is a win-win for North Atlantic right whales and the black sea bass fishery
Press Release Date: September 20, 2024
Location: Charleston, S.C.
Contact:
Megan Jordan, Tami von Isakovics | Blue Wagon Group | email: mjordan@oceana.org, tami@bluewagongroup.com | tel: 202.868.4061, 415-225-7284
Yesterday the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) voted to approve the use of ropeless, or on-demand, fishing gear in the black sea bass fishery from North Carolina to Florida. Ropeless gear has been proven effective at catching black sea bass while also reducing North Atlantic right whale entanglements. The Council initiated the process to authorize ropeless gear last fall, and it now moves to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for final review and approval.
Entanglement in fishing gear, specifically the lines and ropes used in fixed gear, is one of the biggest threats to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, of which an estimated 356 individuals remain alive today.
“Oceana applauds the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s quick decision to move forward on ropeless gear to protect both fishers and critically endangered North Atlantic right whales,” said Alex Aines, marine scientist at Oceana. “This is a win-win for whales and fishers. As our ocean managers expand the adoption of ropeless gear technology, these whales will be much better protected from deadly entanglements. The Council’s thoughtful consideration and research-backed decision-making will pave the way for a thriving black sea bass fishery. Today’s decision is a great example for other fishery managers on how to modernize their operations to safeguard North Atlantic right whales while supporting fishers.”
Commercial fishers conducted initial testing of on-demand fishing gear from North Carolina to Florida, which is also in the annual migratory path for North Atlantic right whales. These studies have shown ropeless gear to be a viable tool for the fishery that will allow fishing opportunities in areas and during times that overlap with whale migrations. Notably, the SAFMC approval also comes just weeks after California Dungeness crab fishermen reported that ropeless gear testing proved profitable in their fishery after the largest and most successful trial of ropeless fishing gear on the U.S. West Coast.
Fishers in the black sea bass fishery utilize a range of fishing gear, including hook-and-line and “pots” or fish traps. Because of the risk that ropes and lines used in pots and traps pose to North Atlantic right whales, the fishery closes two areas each year during the whales’ calving season off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Fishers are required to remove gear and lines from the water during these closures. When the new regulations are in effect, they will permanently allow fishers to continue to fish during the closures if they use ropeless or on-demand fishing gear. Fishers who wish to use traditional gear will still be able to do so outside of the closed areas.
Entanglement in fishing gear is a leading cause of death for North Atlantic right whales. Ropes have been seen wrapped around the mouths, fins, tails, and bodies, which slow them down; make it difficult to swim, reproduce, and feed; and can cause death. These lines cut into whales’ flesh, leading to life-threatening infections, and are so strong that they have severed fins and tails, and cut into bone. Around one-quarter of the North Atlantic right whale population is entangled in fishing gear each year, and about 85% of whales have been entangled at least once in their lifetime.
Ropeless, or on-demand gear, has many benefits for fishers. It allows access to areas currently closed in times in which the fish are more readily available closer to shore. This could result in more profit with fewer direct costs to the fishers and access to new markets. The preliminary estimated cost to equip the South Atlantic black sea bass pot fishery with on-demand gear is around $500,000 and may be offset by grants and federal funds for gear modification.
