$1.6 Million Available to Support Recovery Actions for North Atlantic Right Whales

New federal funds will be available through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for fishermen affected by pending right whale regulations.

NOAA Fisheries will add $1.6 million in federal funds to current funding levels to support additional recovery actions for the North Atlantic right whale. The $1.6 million will support reducing the risk of entanglement of right whales in fishing gear while assisting the lobster fishing industry in adapting to the impacts of new measures.

These funds will assist the lobster fishing industry in complying with pending regulations and help to defray costs to support fishermen broadly.

NOAA Fisheries plans to work through its partner, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), to expend these funds. Once they have the details worked out with the ASMFC, they will share that information.

The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered and fisheries gear entanglements and vessel strikes are among the leading causes of deaths in both the U.S. and Canada. NOAA Fisheries and our partners are dedicated to conserving and rebuilding the North Atlantic right whale population.