Faculty Advisor
McWeeny, Jennifer
Faculty Advisor
Tuler, Seth
Project Center
Boston, Massachusetts
Sponsor
The New England Aquarium
Abstract
The North Atlantic right whale (NARW) is an endangered species that is negatively impacted by entanglements in fishing gear. The goal of this project was to determine the characteristics of a rope for use in the vertical lines of lobster traps that would be safe for NARWs and effective for lobster fishing. To complete our goal, we conducted interviews with whale researchers and lobstermen in Maine. We created a multivariable assessment tool to assess potential alternatives to current lobster fishing ropes. We then assessed seven alternatives to current ropes to display the tool’s effectiveness. The New England Aquarium sponsored this project and we recommend that they continue to use our multivariable assessment tool as well as conduct further research on rope alternatives.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
October 2013
Project Type
Interactive Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
All authors have granted to WPI a nonexclusive royalty-free license to distribute copies of the work, subject to other agreements. Copyright is held by the author or authors, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Humanities and Arts
Advisor Department
Interdisciplinary Programs