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Maine Lobstermen's Association Rejects DMR Right Whale Protection Plan

AMY JAMES
/
CENTER FOR COASTAL STUDIES/VIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) has voted to not support the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) right whale conservation plan.

In a statement Friday evening, the group says that the plan “seeks reductions that exceed the documented risk posed by the Maine lobster fishery” according to an MLA analysis of NMFS data.

The organization also says the plan could create unsafe conditions for some people in the lobster industry.

The MLA says it will work to create a protection plan for the endangered whales that would also minimalize risk to MLA members.

This post will be updated.