NEW BEDFORD — With so few of certain species of groundfish being caught, the Northeast fisheries office Thursday announced it is raising the allowable possession limits until April 30, 2014, the end of this fishing year.

The temporary rule increases the limits for Gulf of Maine cod, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, Gulf of Maine winter flounder, white hake and pollock.

The limits vary. A representative one is Gulf of Maine winter flounder, which had been capped at 500 pounds per trip but is now 2,000 pounds. There is now no limit at all for pollock.

"Increasing these possession limits is intended to provide additional fishing opportunities and help allow the common pool fishery to catch more of its quota for these stocks," said a representative of the agency.

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