Vertical Lines–Whale Rules

Comment Deadline

NOTICE OF AGENCY RULE-MAKING PROPOSAL

AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 75. Protected Resources. Proposed Rulemaking.

CONCISE SUMMARY:
This proposed rule making addresses the federal vertical line regulations (otherwise known as the “whale rules”), which were published by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on June 27, 2014, and which go into effect in Maine on June 1, 2015. This rule making is necessary for consistency and compliance with the federal requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Final Rule in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. With the new whale rules, there will be a minimum number of lobster traps per trawl based on the different lobster zones and distance from shore to reduce the number of buoy lines in the water column. The various changes apply to areas of Maine’s Pocket Waters, inside the Maine Sliver Area and Federal Waters. The Department is seeking to adopt additional gear marking, a new 6 mile line, minimum trawl lengths and some island buffers in regulation for compliance and consistency with the federal whale rules.

THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 M.R.S. §6171

PUBLIC HEARING: April 6, 2015. Natural Resource Service Center, 6 Beech Street, Room 106, Hallowell. 6:00 pm.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: April 16, 2015
To ensure consideration, comments must include your name and the organization you represent, if any. Please be aware that any risk of non-delivery associated with submissions by fax or email is on the sender.

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Sarah Cotnoir (207) 624-6596

Mail Written Comments to: Department of Marine Resources, attn: K. Rousseau, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021.

www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking
EMAIL: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
PHONE: 207-624-6550
FAX: (207) 624-6024
TTY: (711) Maine.