Northeast Trap/Pot Guide for Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

The Atlantic Large whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) is a program to reduce the risk of serious injury and death of large whales caused by accidental entanglement in U.S. commercial trap/pot and gillnet fishing gear. The Plan is required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and has been developed by NOAA Fisheries.

The Plan focuses on reducing entanglements of endangered right, humpback, and fin whales. Non-endangered minke whales also benefit from the Plan. Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies are required to ensure that permitted activities (such as commercial fishing) do not cause harm to, or jeopardize, the continued existence of any endangered species.

Since the Plan measures are intended to reduce entanglements of right, humpback, and fin whales in commercial fishing gear, these measures also help to reduce the likelihood that federally permitted fishing activities will jeopardize the continued existence of these whales.