Lobster Industry Says Regulations to Save Right Whales Will Push Them Out of Business
Ask students: How many jobs does lobster fishing support? Why does the NOAA require lobster traps to have weaknesses?
Summary
Right whales are a majestic sight to behold off the eastern coast of North America, but they are endangered and their numbers are shrinking. Many conservationists say fishing gear that causes entanglements is a big part of the problem. But lobster harvesters fear they may be driven out of business by pressure to change their practices even further. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Five Facts
- How many jobs does lobster fishing support?
- Why does NOAA require lobster traps to have weaknesses?
- What number of human-killed whales is acceptable to Janet Colt?
- Where has Steve Train been fishing?
- When were NOAA regulations finalized?
Focus Questions
How should the needs of the whales and the fishermen be balanced? Should they be balanced? Why or why not?
News analysis: How important is it for news stories to give interview time to both sides of the story?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More
What students can do: Think about ways for the lobster fishermen to continue fishing without harming whales, possibly through inventions.
Student Video of the Day (August 9, 2017)
This lesson was written by Benjamin Thernstrom, a high school senior in Arlington, Virginia, and PBS NewsHour Classroom intern, with editing by Luke Gerwe. Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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