The Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that blue mussels and quahogs from the below-defined area no longer contain biotoxins (PSP) from the phytoplankton Alexandrium (spp.) in excess of established standards. Shellfishing for all other shellfish will remain closed and prohibited until the Division has determined that PSP toxins are within acceptable levels.

Therefore, under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, Section 74A, 75 and 322 CMR 7.01 (7), at sunrise on July 21, 2005, the below-defined areas will revert to their former status prior to the PSP closure of April 24, 2003. Those areas classified as APPROVED and in the “open“ status to shellfish harvesting are now open to the harvest of blue mussels and quahogs for direct human consumption subject to local rules and regulations under authority of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 130, section 52. Similarly, those areas classified as CONDITIONALLY APPROVED are open subject to the classification conditions.

CLASSIFICATION: APPROVED
STATUS: OPEN TO SHELLFISHING

NAUSET SYSTEM OC2- OC6
OC2 NAUSET HARBOR, EASTHAM/ORLEANS
The waters, flats and all tributaries of Nauset Harbor in the Towns of Eastham and Orleans, northerly of a line drawn across the mouth of Mill Pond in the Town of Orleans; southerly of a line drawn across the Middle Channel at the Eastham/Orleans town line; southerly of a line drawn across the southern mouth of the Hemenway River in the Town of Eastham; and easterly of a line drawn across the mouth of Town Cove.

OC3 MILL POND, ORLEANS
The waters, flats and all tributaries of Mill Pond in the Town of Orleans, southerly of a line drawn across the mouth of Roberts Cove.

OC4 TOWN COVE, ORLEANS/EASTHAM
The waters, flats and all tributaries of Town Cove in the Towns of Eastham and Orleans, southwesterly of a line drawn from Snow Point in the Town of Orleans to the western side of the mouth to the Hemenway River at Fort Hill in the Town of Eastham.

OC5 NAUSET MARSH, EASTHAM
The waters, flats and all tributaries of Nauset Marsh in the Town of Eastham, northerly of a line drawn across the Middle Channel at the Eastham/Orleans Town Line; westerly of a line drawn across the mouth of Nauset Harbor; northerly of a line drawn across the mouth of the Hemenway River at Fort Hill in the Town of Eastham; and easterly of a line drawn across the entrance of Salt Pond in the Town of Eastham.

OC6 SALT POND, EASTHAM
The waters, flats and all tributaries of Salt Pond in the Town of Eastham, westerly of a line drawn across the mouth of Salt Pond.