NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES; ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY; 2026 CLOSURE OF THE NORTHERN GULF OF MAINE SCALLOP MANAGEMENT AREA TO THE LIMITED ACCESS GENERAL CATEGORY FISHERY

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; 2026 Closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area to the Limited Access General Category Fishery.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on April 14 by David R. Blankinship, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS announces the closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area for the remainder of the 2026 fishing year for Limited Access General Category (LAGC) vessels. Regulations require this action once NMFS projects that 100 percent of the Northern Gulf of Maine S...