Fishing Grounds South Of Nantucket To Open After 19 Years

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has decided to open fishing grounds south of Nantucket that have been closed for 19 years. 

The fishing grounds east and west of the Nantucket Lightship area will be open from December 31st to April 30th. 

Northeast Administrator John Bullard is hoping the openings will give struggling fishermen an opportunity to get back on the water....

Seafood consultant Jim Kendall of New Bedford called the openings "a good first step." 

As part of the reopening plan, fishermen must use extra-large gilnets so flounder can escape. 

Fishermen must also install acoustic devices on those nets to lessen the chance of harbor porpoises being caught.