All photos: E. Burke

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries

Massachusetts Lobster

Promotion and Labeling Program

American lobster is fished from Canada to New Jersey

Lobster traps are baited and fish passively on the seafloor

Massachusetts lobstermen set their gear in trawls of 10-25 pots

Groundlines connect traps to each other on the seafloor, while buoylines connect the gear to the surface

A trap trawl awaits deployment….

The groundline connection pulls each trap

off the boat in succession

Notice the groundline connecting the previously deployed trap to the next

one

Traps on the move….stand back!

Massachusetts is the first and only state to require year-round, state-wide use of sinking groundline.

The use of sinking groundline reduces the amount of rope in the water column.

In comparison, floating groundline rises up in the water column and poses an entanglement risk to large whales.

Entanglements are a major cause of injury and mortality for large whales.

Massachusetts lobstermen doing more for whales

• Sinking groundline required year-round

• Compliance with other whale-related gear modifications

• Ghost gear removal program

The Bottom Line

Recognize their conservation efforts through education and

marketing campaign

Photo: E. Burke

Labeling and marketing campaignEducate consumersPromote Massachusetts lobster

Massachusetts Lobster

Campaign Components• Labeled lobster bands

• Brochures and posters

• Promote product

• Educate consumers

• Raise awareness about whale-gear issues

• Highlight conservation efforts of Mass lobstermen

Massachusetts

US

A -

Wild

ParticipantsFish markets

Seafood dealers

Restaurants

Whale-watch boats

Environmental groups

Look for Massachusetts Lobster at your local restaurant

or fish market!