MACHIAS, Maine - Maine fishery regulators are shutting down two scallop fishing areas they say are in danger of becoming depleted.
The state is closing Pleasant Bay and Lower Englishman Bay. Both are located in Washington County. State officials say continued scallop fishing in the two areas could "damage sub-legal scallops that could be caught during subsequent fishing seasons.'' The Pleasant Bay closure also includes the Harrington and Addison Rivers.
Maine's scalloping industry is rebounding after bottoming out at about 33,000 pounds in 2005. Fishermen caught more than 400,000 pounds in 2013. The state has regulated the fishery through closures and new management techniques.
State regulators said before the beginning of this year's season that they anticipated cutting days and closing areas this year.