Fish-Management Agency Backs Whale Protection Rule in Lawsuit

The National Marine Fisheries Service defended its rule temporarily closing fishing grounds to protect North Atlantic right whales in Massachusetts from fishing gear.

The whale is “one of the most endangered species on the planet,” with a leading cause of death being “entanglement in vertical buoy-line fishing gear,” the agency told the US District Court for the District Court of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Inc. had challenged the agency’s decision, saying NMFS didn’t rely on the best available scientific data and alleging economic injury. The association also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction ...