early 1990s, having healthier and more robust fish will positively impact the ecosystem. Closed Area I Background Closed Area I (CA-I) was established in 1994 in an effort to protect benthic habitat and groundfish species. The area boundaries of the four sided polygon run from 40° 45' to 41° 30' North and 68° 30' to 69° 23' West. It is a year long closed area that prevents groundfish fishing. Fishing vessels that are suing exempted gear (pelagic trawls and nets) are allowed. Vessels using a midwater trawl are allowed and may fish with a LOA from a Regional Administrator. Because of the success of the scalloping industry, scallop fishing is allowed, as well as vessels in the multispecies Special Access Program (SAP). Impact on fisheries CA-I is known for high aggregations of haddock, with 73% of the US catch being within of the closed area. It is an area also known for winter flounder and yellowtail flounder, suggesting these closed areas are aiding unsustainable populations. The northern edge of CA-I is fished intensely. Closed Area II Background Closed Area II (CA-II) was established in 1994 in an effort to protect benthic habitat and groundfish species. The area boundaries of the four sided polygon run from 41° 00' to 42° 22' North and 66° 35.8' to 67° 20' West. It is a year long closed area that prevents groundfish fishing. Fishing vessels that are suing exempted gear (pelagic trawls and nets) are allowed. Vessels using a midwater trawl are allowed and may fish with a LOA from a Regional Administrator. Because of the success of the scalloping industry, scallop fishing is allowed, as well as vessels in the groundfish Special Access Program (SAP). Impact on fisheries This area serves as habitat for fish such as cod and pollock, and cod found in these areas have a higher mean age and gut fullness. This indicates that the closed area is working, and the fish are living longer and have access to more food. With cod stock having been decreased steadily since the early 1990s, having healthier and more robust fish will positively impact the ecosystem. The southern edge of CA-II is fished intensely. Nantucket Lightship Closed Area Background Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA) was established in 1994 in an effort to protect benthic habitat and groundfish species. It is rectangular and runs in straight lines from 40° 20' to 40° 50' North,