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Report offers assessment of human impact on marine sanctuary

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May 6, 2008

BOSTON—A report on protecting a marine preserve off the coast of Massachusetts finds too many fish are being taken from it and whales there are in danger from fishing gear entanglements.

The report on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary also says fishing gear is disturbing the sites of historic shipwrecks.

The report, released Tuesday, recommends tighter restrictions around whale-watching boats and buffer zones around the shipwrecks. It does not recommend any new fishing restrictions, despite the conclusion that nearly every square kilometer of the sanctuary is disturbed by fishing.

Fishermen worry that tighter rules would cut into their already shrinking profits.

Sanctuary superintendent Craig McDonald says the report provides a foundation for next steps.

© Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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