PORTLAND, Maine - The 2014-15 Maine scallop fishing season is over and state fishery regulators say it appeared to be a good year for the beloved bivalve.
The season began in December and wrapped up April 9 for dragger boats and April 11 for divers. Maine regulators say they won't know the total haul until early 2016. They say December 2014 numbers indicate a strong season. The fleet landed 215,920 pounds of scallop meat in that month, up 16 percent from December 2013.
Maine regulators enacted localized closures over the course of the winter, but kept the fishery open for the entire season. State marine resource management coordinator Trisha Cheney says the winter weather played a role in keeping the fishery open.
Maine's scallop fishery has been steadily rebuilding since a 2005 collapse.