Federal fisheries regulators have proposed raising the limit on the New England's lucrative sea scallop catch.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposal, announced from NOAA's Northeast regional headquarters in Gloucester's Blackburn Industrial Park, raises the limit from 47 million to 51 million pounds this new fishing year, which begins Sunday, then to 55 million pounds in 2012.
The increases were recommended by regional managers last year.
The NOAA proposal, however, also limits fishing in certain areas from June to October to protect sea turtles.
While some Gloucester and other Cape Ann boats pursue scallops, the scallop haul has made New Bedford the country's No. 1 revenue port, with some $250 million in revenues in 2009, accroding to NOAA figures.
Read the complete story from The Gloucester Times.