Another industry, another setback for fishermen.

On February 20, the Maine Department of Marine Resources announced the closure of two scallop fisheries, including the Sheepscot River, due to concerns about populations.

For the rest of the season the Machias area fishery and the lower Sheepscot River will be off limits for scallop fishing.

A concern for sub-legal scallops, both now and in future seasons, was cited for closing the Sheepscot to scallop fishermen.

Maine's scallop industry has suffered in recent years due to dwindling stocks, according to the DMR. In 1981, approximately 4 million pounds of scallops were harvested for almost $18 million (Source: Maine Department of Marine Resources).

In 2005 the market bottomed out: only 33,000 pounds of scallops were caught.

In 2009 the DMR began targeting specific areas for closure to try to protect the scallops. It cites that as the reason total landings were close to 290,000 pounds in 2012.

In recent years, the number of permitted license holders has increased, as well; in 2008-09 there were slightly more than 150 scallop-fishers in Maine. By 2012-13 that number had ballooned to 400 license holders.

Earlier in the year, the DMR announced there would be no winter shrimping season.