The 2026 Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) scallop season came to a close just 12 days after opening, as NOAA Fisheries shut down the high-value spring fishery effective April 13 at 12:01 a.m.

The quick turnaround comes as little surprise to fishermen who entered the season expecting a fast burn under a significantly reduced quota. For 2026, total allowable landings were set for 484,753 pounds, with a usable set-aside of 437,867 pounds after research and observer deductions– down sharply from 675,563 pounds in 2025.

With roughly 180 boats working the fishery and a 200-pound daily limit per vessel, the math pointed to a short season from the state.

Cape May, N.J., fisherman Brady Lybarger told National Fisherman boats and gear editor Paul Molyneaux in early April. “Do the math. One hundred eighty boats, 200 pounds a day, a roughly 400,000-pound quota. That’s 11 days. If we get anything over that, it’s a bonus.”

That prediction proved accurate, as NOAA moved to close the NGOM management area once projections showed the quota would be fully harvested.

As for the closure, federally permitted scallop vessels are prohibited from fishing for, possessing, or landing scallops from the NGOM area, though some limited exceptions remain for vessels already on declared trips and those participating in the agency’s research set-aside program.

Vessels from Maine to New Jersey packed the waterfront in the days leading up to the April 1 opener, continuing a now well-established spring migration. While the pace remained familiar, early reports from the grounds suggested the resource may not have been as dense as last season.

Prices, while slightly off last year’s high, remained solid enough at around $30 per pound to make the short season worthwhile, even with fuel prices skyrocketing.

The reality for many NGOM participants is a short, intense opportunity, not a standalone season, but another part-time fishery to make a buck at. NOAA stated that they again included electronic reporting, pre-landing notifications, and observer coverage, while closing the fishery as soon as quota limits were projected to be reached.

Fisheries managers have asked fishermen to document any issues they see in writing, including management and enforcement problems, to create the best opportunity to help manage the stock and season.

As the quotas fluctuate year to year, fishermen have come to rely on the short but sweet season. Despite the smaller allocation this season, the dynamic held steady– a fast-paced, high-stakes run that brings together a fleet from many different East Coast states. The 2026 season is now in the books, with boats heading back to their home hailing ports.