Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Area Closes for 2026
Published Date: 4/14/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting April 13, 2026, scallop fishing in the Northern Gulf of Maine will be closed for the rest of the year to certain federal boats because they’ve caught their full share. This keeps scallop populations healthy and fishing fair. Some boats with special state permits can still fish in Maine or Massachusetts waters, but others must wait until 2027 to dive back in.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
NGOM closed to federal LAGC vessels
Starting 0001 local time on April 13, 2026, the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area is closed to all federally permitted Limited Access General Category (LAGC) scallop vessels for the remainder of the 2026 fishing year through March 31, 2027. As of that time, no Federal LAGC scallop vessel may fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the NGOM area.
State-permit holders can keep fishing
If you hold a Federal NGOM (LAGC B) or LAGC Individual Fishing Quota (LAGC A) permit and also have a valid Maine or Massachusetts state scallop permit, you may continue to fish in the Maine or Massachusetts state-waters portion of the NGOM under the State Waters Exemption Program (Sec. 648.54) as long as you fish only in that state's waters. This exception applies while the federal closure is in effect from April 13, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Trips underway before cutoff can finish
Any federally permitted LAGC scallop vessel that had declared into the NGOM, complied with trip notification and observer requirements, and crossed the vessel-monitoring-system demarcation line on the way to the area before 0001 hours local time on April 13, 2026, may complete that trip and land scallops. The remainder of vessels must comply with the closure through March 31, 2027.
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