NEW BEDFORD — The scallop fishery season begins in just a few weeks.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is proposing regulations similar to those in past years for the new season that begins on April 1.

NOAA says quota and other allocations will resemble recent season standards.

A proposal from the regulating agency would set a 205,000-pound total allowable catch for the Northern Gulf of Maine that would be split between two categories of boats.

The comment period on the proposal is open until March 7.

New Bedford is the leading port in the nation in terms of dollars, largely due to the high market prices that scallops command.

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