The mandatory switch to so-called neutrally buoyant rope on lobster trap trawl lines has created a mix of difficulties. One of course is the expense, partially eased by the rope buy back program. There was a fair amount of confusion over just what lobstermen were supposed to be replacing the traditional float rope with.

Whale rules require lobstermen fishing outside the exemption line to replace float rope with a new designated rope that is supposed to float just off the bottom, out of the way of whales.

However, the choice is not as simple as it might seem. There are many options, and there are many more preferences that each lobstermen may have. It has been difficult for many lobstermen to decide what option works best for them.

It has also been difficult for suppliers to know what types of rope, and how much of each to stock. Allison Holmquist at Down East Fishing Gear in Ellsworth, and Trenton, said she has had two lobstermen in the store both discussing a particular rope. One said that that rope was just great, and the other said it was the worst he had ever used.

This is a situation Holmquist has seen many times in discussions of many different ropes since the rope rule went into effect in March, 2008. In the beginning there was confusion about what ropes were officially sanctioned as replacements. Now there is a variety types. There seems to be as many opinions about variations and combinations as there are fishermen.

Some of these variations in fishermen’s opinions is driven by the type of bottom fished, the way they haul gear, and personal preferences. For the rope dealers who have been trying to figure out what rope is best, what fishermen are going to want, and what to stock their stores with, it has been at least as perplexing.
Allison said she is not able to definitely know what fishermen will need for rope, since it is not yet known how long the new rope will last compared to what was used in the past. She plans to keep a variety of rope on the floor and restock as needed.

The Bottom Line Project, sponsored by the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation plans another rope buyback in the spring of 2010.

1,225 individual lobstermen have brought rope in so far during the11 rope exchanges held to date.
1,673,378 pounds of rope has been brought in. $2,341,764 worth of vouchers have been distributed for the purchase of sinking groundline.

Sinking groundline is having to be replaced after one year or less in most areas. People fishing 20-trap trawls in the sand, mud, and gravel are getting longer life. So much of it depends on how and where the rope is fished.

“As for the rope exchanges we have planned, I still have 468 guys on the waiting list who say they have rope to exchange, so we expect to offer a few more in the spring. By June 2010 we will open up the rope exchanges to all fixed-gear fishers (crab, shrimp, hagfish, offshore lobster) and any remaining inshore lobstermen who still have floating groundline to exchange.” – Laura Ludwig, Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation.