The Marine Resources Commissioner is urging boaters and lobstermen to steer clear of north Atlantic Right Whales near Jeffreys Ledge off the coast of York.

Experts say up to 90 individual whales have been identified there. That’s around a quarter of the total population of these whales, which are one of the most endangered species of whales on the planet.

Patrick Keliher with the Maine Department of Marine Resources has urged lobstermen to remove some of their fishing gear in the area. This would protect the whales, which are threatened the most by boat strikes and fishing gear entanglement, and in turn prevent further restrictions on the fishing industry.

“Let me be clear, this is not mandatory, this would be a voluntary action on your part – however failure of the industry to self-regulate your activity could be costly in the long run,” Keliher said.

To read the original statement from the DMR, click here.