oceanic

NOAA has approved a plan for 55 New Bedford-based fishing vessels that were ordered to halt operations to begin leasing their quota.

The U.S. government says the number of American fish stocks that can be described as "overfished" has hit an all-time low.

Officials from NOAA say fishing vessels that transferred to Sector VII from Sector IX in New Bedford may have to wait until mid-summer to begin leasing quotas.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is turning up the heat on fishing regulators as the city's Sector IX fishing group remains grounded.