A Story About Whales & Scallops in Maine

A fishing story. But it’s not a tale. It’s not going to reel you in for a line.

There are already lots of stories with whales involved. And this one is good news if you’re a whale.

The number of whales entangled in fishing gear has declined recently, but the issue remains a critical threat to rare species.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, reports that there are only 340 North Atlantic right whales in the entire world right now.

So getting tangled and trapped in fishing nets, or collisions with ships in the ocean is not good.

NOAA says the decline in entanglements could be due to fewer fishing activities due to the pandemic.

Right whales are born off the coast of Florida and Georgia and migrate north to New England and Canada to feed. Sort of the reverse snowbird activity made popular by Grandpa and Grandma.

Fishing Story Number 2

Priced Scallops lately? Two years ago they were sold for about $20 a pound. Now, $25 a pound. An increase of 25%.

Blame supply and demand.

Supply is down significantly over the past few years according to the New England Fishery Management Council.

Actually, the supply of scallops is lower than it has been in many years. And the scallop industry is based largely in New England so it’s hitting close to home.

The New England Fishery Management Council will meet Thursday to discuss the issue.

The fishing advocacy group Fisheries Survival Fund says it’s the whims of nature. Andrew Minkiewicz, an attorney who works with the fund says:

That’s the natural cycle of things right now

Let’s hope it swings back, Scallop fishing is worth about $500 million to New England.