New England lobstermen will get an extra six months to switch to using sinking rope to connect their traps as a way to reduce the chances of entangling endangered right whales.

NOAA's Fisheries Service had set an Oct. 5 deadline, but announced today that the new deadline for East Coast fishermen to stop using floating ground lines is April 5, 2009. The federal agency had agreed to consider the extension in the wake of political pressure from Maine, where fishermen use floating lines to prevent snags and the loss of gear on the rocky sea floor.

Maine's lobstermen had widely expected the extension to allow more time to change their gear, but said they don't expect to be able to avoid the rule.

The fisheries service said the extension should have little risk to whales because there is less gear in the water between October and April. It said the extra time will help ensure that fishermen understand the rules and comply.

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