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Remote
Operated Vehicle (ROV)
Groundline Survey
Introduction /
Project Objectives /
Project
Summary /
Survey Area
Survey Schedule /
Underwater Photos /
Contact
Information
Introduction
A federal mandate to reduce the number of
whale entanglements that involve fishing gear has prompted the State of
Maine to work closely with its commercial fishing industry to devise gear
modifications that reduce the likelihood of entanglement. The
Atlantic
Large Whale Take Reduction Team has identified
Maine’s tidal and rocky coastal habitat as distinctly separate and unique
compared to the balance of the habitats frequented by large whales along the
east coast of the United States. In order to determine the State’s
response to proposed amendments to the
Atlantic
Large Whale Take Reduction Plan the Maine Department of Marine
Resources (DMR) is investigating the underwater profile properties of
groundlines (rope between the traps) used by the Maine inshore lobster
industry.
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Project Objectives
The primary objective of this project is to document
the profile of groundlines between lobster traps as they are fished on a
variety of bottom-types and in different tidal areas along the coast of
Maine in order to determine the actual groundline profiles, and to develop
low-profile groundline alternatives in gear configurations and areas that
present a risk to large whales.
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Project Summary
DMR expanded upon the three pilot
ROV projects conducted in February and April 2003, broadening the effort
to secure video footage representative of differing lobster gear
configurations and habitats. This effort thoroughly documented the groundline
profiles of lobster gear along the entire coastline of Maine. The fall 2003
ROV project established the necessary background information on the properties
of floating, sinking and neutrally buoyant groundlines, and stimulated
discussion about gear modifications to create low-profile groundlines.
Filming took place in all seven zones over 24 days.
In 2004, an experimental gear survey took place. The survey
focused on ROV filming of five specific rope types: Polysteel Soft-lay Float
Rope, a new Hyliner blend, Esterpro Hot Shot sinkrope, Quintas & Quintas
leaded core rope, and a custom groundline modification: 1/3 float rope, 1/3
sink rope and 1/3 float rope between traps. Project participants began
fishing the experimental gear in March; gear was filmed in the month of June.
In addition to the underwater footage of experimental gear, two more days of
background filming (a day each in Zone A and G) were added to the 2003 pilot
project footage. Information from this survey is still being processed, and
will be posted as it becomes available. Contact Laura Ludwig (207) 633-9513
at the DMR for specific information on the filming.
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Survey Area
Beginning in the western part of the state, the 2003 survey
moved easterly through the seven lobster management zones, filming gear in
areas that could be considered “high risk” for whale entanglement according to
the best available whale sightings data. We also investigated gear that is
fished in strong tidal areas, and on broken, hard and rocky bottom. The 2004
survey took place on the fishing grounds of project participants, providing a
realistic test environment for the experimental gear.
Click on a
lobster zone to learn about survey activity in that area
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Survey Schedule
2003 ROV Survey
Zone G, September 2, Kittery, Isle of
Shoals
Zone G, September 3, Camp Ellis
Zone F, September 8, Portland
Zone F, September 9, Baily Island
Zone F, September 10 Sebasco
Zone E, September 11, Boothbay area
Zone E, September 13, So. Bristol
Zone D, September 14, New Harbor
Zone D, September 15, Friendship and Cushing area
Zone D, September 16, Spruce Head
Zone D, September 17, Tenants Harbor
Zone C, September 22, Stonington
Zone C, September 23 Stonington to Vinalhaven
Zone C, September 24 Brooksville and Bucks Harbor
Zone C, September 25 Stonington, Swans I., Marshall I.
Zone B, September 26, Bernard and Bass Harbor
Zone B, September 30, Southwest Harbor area
Zone B, October 1, Southwest Harbor
Zone B, October 2, Winter Harbor
Zone B, October 3, Bunkers Harbor
Zone A, October 6, Bucks Harbor
Zone A, October 7, Trescott
Zone A, October 9, Milbridge area
2004 ROV Survey
Experimental Gear Filming
Zone F, June 14, Cape Elizabeth
Zone F, June 15, Bailey Is.
Zone F, June 21, Bailey Island
Zone D, June 16, Muscongus Bay
Zone D, June 17, Tenants Harbor
Zone B, June 18, Northeast Harbor
Zone B, June 19, Northeast Harbor
Additional Groundline Footage Filmed in 2004
Zone A, June 20, Beal’s Island
Zone G, June 22, York
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Underwater Photos
Bass Harbor Boulder
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MDI poly tailer and ednline
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Damariscove trawl
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MDI sink rope |
Contact
Information
For more information, contact DMR staff here.
Photographs of Interest - click
for larger view
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