Maine fishery regulators say they are getting ready to close several waterways to scallop fishing for the season due to the volume of catch.
The nine areas include scallop-rich Cobscook Bay, one of the primary scallop fishing areas in Maine. Regulators say the closures will begin March 2. Some of the areas, including the St. Croix River, will remain partially open on a limited basis.
Regulators say other scallop fishing areas in the state will remain open until early April. The closures are part of the state's effort to rebuild the scallop fishery. The scallop fishery bottomed out at 33,141 pounds ten years ago and has steadily rebuilt since. Fishermen caught more than a half million pounds in 2013.
Copyright The Associated Press
