Input Sought In Low Profile Ground Line Alternatives
by Fishermen's Voice Staff

Stevie Robbins III loading traps preparing for an experiment with low profile groundline which he has been developing since June 2005. Photo: DMR

When the federal regulation on ground lines go into effect in the near future, lobstermen will have to use whatever is developed to replace float ropes. A compromise for Maine fishermen to use sink rope exclusively has been the plan to develop a “low profile” rope that will float off the jagged bottom of the Maine coast, but not float so high that a whale might get entangled in it.

Department of Marine Resources Maine Whale Plan Gear Specialist Stephen Robbins III has been working on the development of rope that will meet the requirements.

“The development process won’t work without the fishermen’s participation. They bear the burden or the benefit from the conclusions drawn,” said Robbins. He would like input from the fishermen to help develop the rope they will all be using.

Anyone can contact Robbins, anytime, to provide input for the development process. Robbins may be reached on his cell phone (207-350-6014), on his pager (207-759-1187) or via email (stephen.robbins@maine.gov).
  
At this point, data is being gathered from fishermen who are using various prototypes.
  
“We are on a deadline to define what ‘low profile’ means,” said Robbins. “The specific requirements come from the Take Reduction Team recommendations.”
  
Whatever “low profile” rope is selected, it must have a lower arc in the water column than traditional poly rope arcs that have been documented.

Robbins said it is important, when talking about the definition of “low profile” rope, that the people of Maine participate in defining what “low profile” means. It is important “because constructing alternatives in federal rule making that allows for an alternative to be recognized. In the event that the final federal rule mandates sink rope coast-wide for ground line, then the alternative ought to be something Maine fishermen can work with,” he said.

Steve Robbins III doing underwater survey work operating the ROV (Remote Operating Vehicle) to observe the behavior of submerged groundlines. Photo: DMR

“The point is to be ready for that event, because most fishermen in Maine don’t use sink rope. Small percentages do, where the bottom allows. However, most fish on rocky bottom where sink rope creates too many problems,” Robbins said.

“Low profile” has yet to be defined. Specific blends are being considered. Manufacturers are given directives regarding qualities the rope must have. Requirements include the arc the rope forms,no contact with the bottom,no rocking down, excessive wear and nothing to interfere with hauling being safe and effective. Robbins would like more than one rope to choose from for different purposes.

No specific date has been set for a deadline, but when the final rule is published, a date will be published. Publication of the final rule has been delayed several times. The final rule will reflect the public comments from people at the four hearings held in the spring of 2005. Attendance at the Ellsworth hearing was larger than the total of all the out of state hearings on ground line changes.

NMFS gets reports on the project and the work is federally funded.