The Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that bivalved molluscan shellfish and carnivorous snails from the below-defined areas contain Paralytic Shellfish Poison toxin (also known as "Red Tide") from the dinoflagellate Alexandrium (spp.) in excess of the established standards.

Under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, Section 74A and 75, the below-defined areas are closed to the harvest of all shellfish, and carnivorous snails, with the exception of the adductor muscle of the sea scallop, until subsequent examination shows that these shellfish are safe for human consumption (crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs are not included in this closure).

The below-defined areas are CLOSED TO THE TAKING OF ALL SHELLFISH AND CARNIVOROUS SNAILS (with the above-noted exceptions for sea scallops, crabs and lobsters). Digging, harvesting or collecting and/or attempting to dig, harvest or collect shellfish including whole sea scallops or roe-on sea scallops or carnivorous snails and the possession of shellfish or carnivorous snails, except sea scallop adductor muscles, from the below-defined areas is prohibited.

Under authority of 322 CMR 7.01(7) all permits issued thereunder are hereby conditioned to prohibit the taking, selling or possession of shellfish from the below defined areas.

AREA CLOSED TO THE HARVEST OF ALL SHELLFISH AND CARNIVOROUS SNAILS (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SEA SCALLOP ADDUCTOR MUSCLES, LOBSTERS AND CRABS)

NS1 NANTUCKET SOUND NORTHEAST CENTER
The waters and flats of that portion of Nantucket Sound northerly of the Loran C line 9960-Y- 43900; southerly and westerly of the Barnstable County Line; easterly of the Loran C line 9960- W-14000.

NS2 NANTUCKET SOUND SOUTHEAST CENTER
The waters and flats of that portion of Nantucket Sound southerly of the Loran C line 9960-Y- 43900; westerly of the Barnstable County Line; easterly of the Loran C line 9960-W-14000; northerly of the Nantucket County Line and west of a line drawn across the entrance to Nantucket Sound from the southern tip of the Barnstable County Line to the northern tip of the Nantucket County Line.

NS3 NANTUCKET SOUND SOUTHWEST CENTER
The waters and flats of that portion of Nantucket Sound southerly of the Loran C line 9960-Y- 43900; easterly of the Dukes County Line; westerly of the Loran C line 9960-W-14000; and northerly of the Nantucket County Line.

NS4 NANTUCKET SOUND NORTHWEST CENTER
The waters and flats of that portion of Nantucket Sound southerly of the Barnstable County Line; easterly of the Dukes County Line; westerly of the Loran C line 9960-W-14000; and northerly of the Loran C line 9960-Y-43900.