August 28, 2014 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has closed two areas to fishing.
The Eastern U.S./Canada area of Georges Bank has been closed through April 30, 2015 to all Northeast multispecies common pool vessels. The closure is required because 130 percent of the "total allowable catch" for Eastern Georges Bank cod has been caught. Fishing in that area will reopen on May 1, 2015.
NOAA Spokeswoman Marjorie Mooney-Seus said there is only one vessel fishing in the area, which has an annual catch limit of roughly 6,600 pounds.
NOAA has also closed the yellowtail flounder fishery through the end of August and the Eastern part of Georges' Bank for common pool boats through April 30, 2015.
Read the full story from the New Bedford Standard-Times