Scallop Season Shuts Down in Maine Gulf for a Year
Published Date: 4/14/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting April 13, 2026, scallop fishing in the Northern Gulf of Maine will be closed for most federal limited access vessels because the 2026 scallop quota is expected to be fully caught. This closure lasts until March 31, 2027, helping protect scallop populations and keep the fishery healthy. Fishermen with special state permits can still fish in Maine and Massachusetts waters during this time.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal LAGC Vessels Barred from NGOM
Starting 0001 hours local time on April 13, 2026, federally permitted Limited Access General Category (LAGC) scallop vessels may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area. This closure lasts through March 31, 2027, because NMFS projects the 2026 NGOM Set-Aside will be fully harvested.
State Permit Holders May Fish in State Waters
If you hold a valid Maine or Massachusetts state scallop permit, you may continue to fish in the state-waters portion of the NGOM Scallop Management Area during the closure. To qualify you must have a valid Maine or Massachusetts state scallop permit and fish only in that state's waters under the State Waters Exemption Program.
Carry‑Out Trips Declared Before Closure Allowed
Any federally permitted LAGC scallop vessel that declared into the NGOM, complied with trip notification and observer rules, and crossed the vessel monitoring demarcation line before 0001 hours local time on April 13, 2026, may complete its trip and land scallops. This allowance applies only to those trips and does not extend beyond the trip completion.
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