The Maine lobster fishing industry fears new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rules to protect endangered right whales could compromise the safety of harvesters and put the $2.5 billion (€2.2 billion) fishery in jeopardy.
Maine's lobstermen supply 90 percent of lobster to the US market. The fishery itself supports the livelihoods of 4,800 licensed fishers and more than 10,000 additional Mainers who work within the industry.
NOAA plans to introduce new rules to prevent endangered right whales from becoming entangled in multiple lines carrying lobster traps.
