Northeast scallopers decry cuts as stocks boom

BOSTON (AP) — New England scallopers are wondering why new restrictions have been placed on what has for years been the region's healthiest fishery.

Rules passed by the New England Fishery Management Council last week reduced the number of fishing days from 37 this year to 29 in 2010. That's lowered the projected catch by about 11 million pounds, to 41.5 million.

The industry lost another 18,000 pounds per boat because they're forbidden to take trips to a closed area of Georges Bank to protect yellowtail flounder.

The industry estimates the new rules will mean a loss of $300,000 per boat.

Fairhaven, Mass.-based scalloper Dan Eilertsen says the regulations don't make sense.

Council officials say the cuts will allow strong scallop reproduction, a strategy that has worked in the past.