Gillnet ban

After scientists determined that a young North Atlantic right whale died after becoming entangled in gillnet gear, the NOAA Fisheries Service will prohibit all gillnet fishing off Georgia and northeast Florida through to the end of the endangered mammal's calving season. The closed area, is known as the Southeast U.S. Restricted Area closure begins today (February 15), through to midnight on March 31.

Only about 300 North Atlantic right whales remain and the species is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Under the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, if a whale is seriously injured or killed, the NOAA Fisheries Service is legally required to close the area to the type of gear that caused the injury or death.

The whale, the second to die off the coast of north Florida recreational boaters found this year, was towed to a remote Duval County beach, where scientists from the Marine Mammal Stranding Network examined the carcass and took samples. The examination team said it found several wounds near the whale's tail that are consistent with entanglement in gillnet fishing gear and shark bites. While the cause of death has not been determined, NOAA Fisheries says, "all available evidence suggests that entanglement and injury by gillnet gear ultimately led to the death of this right whale calf."

Anyone in this area who spots a right while is asked to call NOAA Fisheries'
Stranding Hotline at (786) 382-9585. NOAA Fisheries law enforcement division has a hot line to report illegal fishing or other violations of conservation law: (800) 853-1964. People reporting violations may be eligible for a reward.

source: MSNBC