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Feature Articles
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Know how to 'build' a whale? Maine DMR seeking proposals
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This article is reprinted with permission of Commercial Fisheries News, the Northeast's fishing newspaper for over 30 years, ©2003 Compass Publications Inc. Commercial Fisheries News is published monthly; annual subscriptions are $21.95. To subscribe or request a sample issue: call (877) 263-4496; fax (207) 367-2490; e-mail (cfoster@fish-news.com); or click on the hot link.
BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME - The development of a state early warning system and establishment of a joint industry/Marine Patrol disentanglement assistance network are the two key elements of Maine's Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
Laura Ludwig, the new Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Take Reduction Coordinator, anticipates that the commercial fishing industry will make up the core of the network. She plans to offer training workshops for interested fishermen during the winter and spring months ahead.
The workshops will attempt to prepare the responders as much as possible for the occasional entanglement in the Gulf of Maine. They will review whale biology, standby protocols, and disentanglement tools and methods.
But given that there are not many real-life opportunities to practice disentangling a whale from fishing gear, Ludwig plans to build a model whale in order to simulate the experience and she is looking for help. There are general specifications for the project as well as some funding.
"The ideal model whale will have an articulated tail and jaw, and will have 'baleen' inside the mouth," Ludwig said.
Further, the model whale needs to be constructed in a way that will allow it to be fastened down on a trailer and towed around to towns all along the coast. While strong, it has to be built lightweight enough to be lifted by two or three people.
And, Ludwig added, it should be built in time for the Maine Fishermen's Forum, which begins March 1.
In order to facilitate discussion during the workshops, the whale will need a name - so the builder will be asked to provide a name or two for consideration. The final name will be chosen at the Forum, Ludwig said.
If you're the creative type, have some spare time on your hands, and wouldn't mind earning a little spending money, please contact Laura Ludwig at (207) 633-9513. She'll give you more specifics on size, budget, basic design, and the nature of baleen.
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