NMFS Northeast Region

Sea Scallopers Return

to Eastern Georges Bank

For Immediate

Release

June 9, 1999

For more

information,

contact:

Teri Frady

Chief of Research

Communications

NEFSC

(508) 495-2239

tfrady@whsun1.wh.whoi.edu

or

George Liles

(508) 495-2378

george.liles@noaa.gov

Gloucester, Mass. -- For the first time since 1994, beginning June 15, commercial sea scallopers will be allowed to return to a part of Georges Bank that has been closed. The vessels will have access to harvest sea scallop beds that have grown substantially during the closure, setting the stage for ongoing management of the fishery through planned openings and closures.

A press release describing the opening is available at the NOAA News Release site.

NMFS/NER press releases can be found online:

http://www.wh.whoi.edu/in.html

NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service * 1 Blackburn Drive * Gloucester, MA * 01930