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NOAA awards $29.1 million for right whale research on lobster gear

NOAA awards $29.1 million for right whale research on lobster gear

Rule Changes Arlington, VA local

Federal money funds models and gear tests, but a House bill could delay new whale rules until 2035.

October 1st, 2026: Research project scheduled to begin

Overview

Updated 4 days ago

The $29.1 million research project into right whale habitat and lobster gear was scheduled to begin October 1, but the regulatory picture is shifting. On September 1, the House passed a bill to extend a pause on new whale rules from 2028 to 2035, and NOAA's comment period on the next round of gear rules closes October 16.

The research aims to give managers better data on where whales swim and how gear can be changed, potentially easing closures. But the legislative pause could delay any new rules for years, while conservation groups push for faster action.

Why it matters

With roughly 370 right whales left, better data could decide whether lobster fishermen face fewer closures or more.

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Key Indicators

2026-10-01
Project start date
The research work was scheduled to begin; the start has not been confirmed in public records.

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People Involved

PM
Patrice McCarron
Executive director, Maine Lobstermen's Association
Leading the industry's push against federal right whale rules
SU
Sarah Uhlemann
Senior attorney, Center for Biological Diversity
Leads litigation pushing for stronger right whale protections
 Robert Beal
Robert Beal
Executive director, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Oversees the commission's programs and this research project

Organizations Involved

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Interstate fisheries compact
Recipient of the NOAA grant and project lead

The commission coordinates management of coastal migratory fish for 15 Atlantic states.
NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries
Federal agency
Funder and regulator of right whale protections

The federal agency, also called the National Marine Fisheries Service, that enforces the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act for right whales.
Maine Lobstermen's Association
Maine Lobstermen's Association
Trade association
Plaintiff in lawsuits against federal right whale rules

The largest trade group for Maine's lobster fishery, representing thousands of harvesters.
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Biological Diversity
Environmental nonprofit
Lead plaintiff in lawsuits demanding stronger right whale protections

An Arizona-based nonprofit that has led lawsuits across the country to protect endangered species.

Timeline

June 2017 October 2026

8 events Latest: October 1st, 2026 · 1 week ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Research project scheduled to begin

    Latest Milestone

    Research project is scheduled to begin in Arlington, Virginia.

  2. NOAA holds scoping meeting for next gear rules

    Regulation

    NOAA held a public scoping meeting on potential changes to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, with comments due October 16.

  3. $29.1M NOAA grant recorded

    Funding

    NOAA records $29.1 million grant to ASMFC for whale and gear research.

  4. House passes bill to delay right whale rules

    Legislation

    The House passed H.R. 9436 to extend the moratorium on new right whale protection rules from 2028 to 2035. The bill now goes to the Senate.

  5. Courts order NOAA to revisit rules

    Legal

    Federal courts order NOAA to revisit its whale protection and closure rules.

  6. NOAA issues new lobster restrictions

    Regulation

    NOAA issues new rules requiring closures and gear changes in lobster grounds.

  7. Opposing lawsuits filed

    Legal

    Maine Lobstermen's Association and environmental groups file opposing lawsuits.

  8. Right whale unusual mortality event declared

    Environmental declaration

    NOAA declares an unusual mortality event for right whales after a spike in deaths.

Scenarios

1

Research shifts, NOAA relaxes lobster closures

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: NOAA and ASMFC officials; industry groups

The combined models give managers enough confidence to shrink seasonal closures and ease gear mandates in areas where whale presence is low. Industry compliance costs fall, and environmental groups watch closely. A new biological opinion or take reduction rule would make the change official.

2

Models show higher risk, tighter restrictions

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups

The new habitat models reveal whales use more of the fishing grounds than assumed, pushing NOAA to expand closures and gear requirements. Lobstermen face higher costs and more litigation.

3

Litigation continues; no major rule change before 2029

Likely Resolves by Q2 2029

Discussed by: Industry observers and environmental law analysts

The research yields incremental findings, but both sides keep fighting in court over existing rules. Neither a major loosening nor tightening takes effect for years.

4

Senate passes H.R. 9436, delaying rules to 2035

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Maine Lobstermen's Association, House sponsors, industry observers

If the Senate passes the bill and the president signs it, NOAA would be barred from issuing new right whale gear rules until 2035. The research project would continue, but its findings would not translate into regulatory changes for years.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

April 1990

Dolphin-safe tuna (1990)

In the eastern tropical Pacific, tuna fleets encircled dolphins to catch tuna beneath them, killing tens of thousands of dolphins a year. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and public pressure, the industry adopted the backdown procedure and net modifications to release dolphins.

Then

Dolphin deaths fell sharply within a few years.

Now

The 'dolphin-safe' label became standard, proving gear change could end a bycatch fight without ending the fishery.

Why this matters now

The same bet — modified gear saves a protected species while letting fishermen work — underlies this grant.

September 1995

Gulf of Maine harbor porpoise pingers (1995-1998)

Harbor porpoise drowned in New England gillnets, prompting federal rules that required acoustic pingers on nets. The pingers warned porpoises away from the gear.

Then

Porpoise deaths in gillnets dropped sharply; the fishery kept operating.

Now

It became the model for acoustic deterrents in US fisheries.

Why this matters now

It is the closest New England precedent: a gear fix that balanced a protected species and a working fishery.

December 2008

Right whale ship-strike speed rule (2008)

NOAA required ships to slow to 10 knots in seasonal zones along the East Coast to cut right whale ship strikes, the species' other main killer. Later it added dynamic, real-time speed zones.

Then

Ship-strike deaths fell, and targeted zones reduced economic cost.

Now

The shift from blanket to dynamic rules showed managers can protect whales more precisely.

Why this matters now

This grant applies that same logic to fishing gear — targeted measures instead of broad closures.

Sources

(8)
+2
USAspending.gov Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership The Boston Globe Island Institute Wildlands Eco Intelligence Federal Register Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission