NOAA closes Gulf of Maine scallop fishing season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has shut down the Gulf of Maine scallop fishery for the remainder of the fishing year, ending March 31, 2026. This closure, effective Monday, impacts scallop fishing in federal waters, starting three miles offshore. The decision follows a brief midseason pause earlier in April, marking the first such closure in 16 years of regulations. Exemptions exist for some research vessels and those fishing exclusively in state waters. Vessels already at sea with proper monitoring systems before the closure's start time can complete their trips.