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Shellfishing Update 9/15/2021

Posted on: September 21, 2021 - 9:12am

Notice from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

September 15, 2021

The Honorable Coastal Mayors and Select Boards of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the following municipalities: Bourne, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Gosnold, Mattapoisett, Marion, Wareham, Westport. Ladies and Gentlemen, In accordance with Chapter 130, section 74A of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that shellfish areas in the above listed towns/cities (shellfish growing areas BB1-10, 17-35, 37,38, 46-58 and E 1-14 closed at 8 am on September 2, 2021, due to the remnants of Hurricane “Ida”, will meet the National Shellfish Sanitation Program guidelines for an “OPEN” status. Therefore, under authority of MGL, Chapter 130, Sections 74A and 322 CMR 7.01 (7) the below-defined areas will revert to their former status prior to the closure of 8 am on September 2, 2021, effective at sunrise on Thursday September 16, 2021.

Those areas previously classified as “APPROVED” and in the “OPEN” status prior to the 8 am on September 2, 2021, shellfish closure will revert to their previous status at sunrise on September 16, 2021, and open to the harvest of shellfish for direct human consumption subject to local rules and regulations under authority of MGL Chapter 130, section 52. Similarly, those areas previously classified as “CONDITIONALLY APPROVED” and in the “OPEN” status prior to the 8 am on September 2, 2021 shellfish closure will revert to their previous status at sunrise on September 16, 2021 subject to the previous status conditions.

All conditions, management plans and MOU’s remain in effect. Areas classified as “PROHIBITED” shall remain closed to the harvest of shellfish for direct human consumption.

STATUS: OPEN TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH

“The waters, flats and all tributaries of Massachusetts within the following shellfish growing areas BB1-10, 17-35, 37,38, 46-58 and E1-14.” All previous bacterial closures remain in effect. 

end of state notice

PARTIAL AREAS OPEN TO SHELLFISHING

At this time the southwest side of Long Beach to the tip of Stony Point Dike is Open to Shellfishing including Little Harbor Beach.  In addition, the southeast side of Stony Point Dike is open from the tip to Cedar Point Light # 17 in Hog Island Channel.

AREAS STILL CLOSED TO SHELLFISHING

Wareham River, Swifts Neck and Beach, Cromesett, Marks Cove, Standish Shores, Northeast side of Long Beach, Hamilton Beach, Parkwood, Broad Marsh, Widows Cove, Codmans Point, All of Onset Bay including Wickets and Onset Island, Fishermans Cove, Sias Point, Butlers Cove and Buttermilk Bay.