With new federal rules aimed at preventing right and other large whales from becoming entangled in lobster gear, State of Maine officials and our federal delegation are working tirelessly to advocate for our lobstermen and to find practical solutions for the costly burdens being placed upon them.

The amended Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan includes an exemption area for Maine, increased use of weak links, universal gear modifications and the removal of Dynamic and Seasonal Area Management.

Most troubling to Maine lobstermen is that starting in October of this year, there will be a prohibition on the use of floating groundlines for lobster traps outside of the exemption area. On Maine's rocky and tidal ocean floor, sink rope groundlines are considered by many to be dangerous, prone to breakage and costly. Lobstermen will tell you that the wear and tear on this kind of rope could lead to more broken lines increasing the amount of rope in the water column in which right and other large whales could get entangled.

Broken line and increased gear loss are of great concern, not only to the lobstermen, but also to the environment as the number of 'ghost traps' could grow, littering the bottom with unsupervised gear.

Because of the rocky bottom and strong currents in much of the Northern Gulf of Maine, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) worked hard to create an exemption zone for inshore waters where there is a very low probability of entanglements and where flotation is needed in groundlines in order for the Maine lobster fishery to fish safely and efficiently.

Currently, DMR is working to implement an alternate fishing gear groundline developed after five years of collaborative research with the lobster industry. If accepted, this low profile groundline alternative will allow for the Maine lobster fishery to operationally fish with a viable alternative groundline while concurrently reducing the risk of groundline entanglements and preventing the substantial increase of endline risks.

While DMR and the lobster trade groups are hopeful about the development of this low profile rope that neither sinks to the bottom nor floats too high along the water column, (less than one meter) this alternative proposal still must be reviewed and accepted by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team at their meeting this spring.

Addressing the issues of risk reduction and operational durability are just part of the problem. Making sure there will be enough rope to make the switch is a logistical nightmare. DMR is working to ensure rope manufacturers will have enough supply to meet the demand. Fishermen will need about 5,000 pounds of new rope. Estimates for the conversion are reported to be between $12,000 and $14,000, and because oil is a main component used to make the rope, the costs could go higher.

In January, the Finance Authority of Maine approved a program for commercial loans and loan insurance to assist Maine lobstermen in modifying their gear to meet the regulations. Lobstermen will be able to apply for loans now to replace rope well before the October deadline.

Because of inclement weather, Sen. Olympia Snowe rescheduled the Field Hearing on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan for Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. at Jeff's Catering, 15 Littlefield Way in Brewer. Scheduled to testify are: Jim Leckey, Office of Protected Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; George Lapointe, commissioner, Maine Department of Marine Resources; Patrice McCarron, executive director, Maine Lobstermen's Association; and Vicki Cornish, vice president, Marine Wildlife Conservation, The Ocean Conservancy. The hearing will also include a public comment period.

The 2008 Maine Fishermen's Forum will include a segment to update attendees on the latest information regarding the whale rules. That meeting will take place on Saturday, March 1 at 2:45 p.m. at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

We encourage all interested parties to attend these events to demonstrate the resolve the Maine lobstermen have to create smart, practical solutions to industry and environmental concerns. While we work to compile better data to more accurately illustrate what is happening on the Maine coast, we all must support efforts to ease the transition between the old and new.

Rep. Bruce MacDonald, D-Boothbay, is serving in his first term in the Legislature representing A r rowsic, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Georgetown, Southport and Westport Island. He is a member of the Legi s lature's Marine Resources Commi t tee and the Committee on Business, Research & Economic Development. Rep. MacDonald serves as the legi s lative liaison to the Zone E Lobster Management Policy Council.

Rep. Edward Mazurek, D-Rockland, is serving his second term represen t ing Rockland and part of Owl's Head. He is a member of the Legi s lature's Marine Resources Commi t tee and the Transportation Commi t tee. Rep. Mazurek serves as the le g islative liaison to the Zone D Lobster Management Policy Council .