Cape Cod Bay Lobstering, Boating Restrictions Lifted

CAPE COD BAY, MA — The Division of Marine Fisheries has lifted lobstering and boating restrictions put in place to protect endangered right whales in Cape Cod Bay, the agency announced late Thursday. The most recent aerial survey by the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies showed right whales have migrated out of state waters adjacent to Cape Cod, according to the agency.

Effective today, commercial and recreational lobstermen may set their trap gear in waters north and east of Cape Cod that were previously closed to fixed gear. Lobstermen from the South Shore protested the extended fishing closures Thursday prior to the restrictions being lifted.

Boaters operating vessels smaller than 65 feet long may now travel faster than 10 knots. Through May 15, vessels larger than 65 feet long must comply with the federal 10 knot speed limit in Cape Cod Bay.

The Division of Marine Fisheries advises boaters to continue to operate with caution.

Right whales are a critically endangered species and their population has been decreasing since 2010 due to continued mortality and low birth rates. These whales seasonally migrate into Massachusetts waters and aggregate in Cape Cod Bay to feed on zooplankton. In recent years, more than 50 percent of the known right whale population was observed in local waters during late winter and early spring.

The Large Whale Trap Gear Closure and Cape Cod Bay Seasonal Speed Restriction protects these endangered whales from entanglements in fixed fishing gear and vessel collisions, which are a major sources of mortality for these endangered animals.

For more information about the management of protected species in Massachusetts, contact DMF
at 617-626-1520 or visit the website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.