July 6, 2026 — President Donald Trump‘s declaration of July 2 as National Scallops Day is a pretty big deal for New Bedford and its legendary fishing industry.
Reopening the Northern Edge After a 30-Year Ban
The declaration was accompanied by an announcement that Trump plans to reopen the Northern Edge of Georges Bank to scallop fishing, an area that has been off limits since 1994.
Addressing the Decline in New Bedford Scallop Landings
New Bedford lands anywhere between 20 and 50 million pounds of scallops annually. However, Senator Mark Montigny told New Bedford Light, “Total scallop landings in 2024 were only a third of the scallops harvested in 2019.”
Montigny and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell have long advocated for reopening the Northern Edge. Mitchell told the Light he “strongly” supports the decision, saying it is “encouraging to see the federal government prioritize this effort as well.”