FAIRHAVEN — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has approved catch limit increases and other measures to provide "greater flexibility to the sustainable Atlantic sea scallop fishery," the agency said in an announcement July 20.
"NOAA has approved a suite of management measures for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, developed by the New England Fishery Management Council with input from the fishing industry, which will increase fishing opportunities for fishermen," a press release said. "Among the measures being put into place, as a result of effective science-based management, are increased catch limits for the remainder of this fishing year and in 2012.
"These increases are possible because the Atlantic sea scallop resource is healthy and the fishery is operating sustainably," said Patricia Kurkul, regional administrator, Northeast Region, NOAA Fisheries Service. "In 2010, the fishery had a catch target of 47 million pounds. We were able to raise 2011 catch limits to 51 million pounds and increase them again in 2012 to 54 million pounds."
Read the complete story from The South Coast Today.