To protect the ability of scallop fishing beds to replenish themselves, state officials have closed down scallop fishing areas in Hancock County and in Washington County.

Maine Department of Marine Resources indicated Friday that it was closing limited-access fishing areas off Jonesport and Addison, in northwest Blue Hill Bay, in Englishman Bay and in Machias and Little Machias bays.

"The department is concerned that continued harvesting during the remainder of [this] fishing season in these areas would damage sublegal scallops that could be caught during subsequent fishing seasons," DMR officials said in a prepared statement. "Continued harvesting would also reduce any remaining broodstock that is essential to a recovery, within the [affected areas]. An immediate conservation closure is necessary to reduce the risk of unusual damage and imminent depletion."

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