NANTUCKET, Massachusetts – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is closing one of the key fishing areas off of New England where fishermen seek scallops.

The administration is closing the Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Access Area to scallop vessels that fish under “limited access general category” rules. The closure goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.

Regulations require that NOAA close the fishing area once it projects that the fleet has fished all of the 485 trips it is allowed. The area is located southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Scallops will likely remain plentiful in grocery stores and restaurants, as they are fished from a variety of areas.


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