Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626.1520 Fax (617) 626.1509 |
May 27, 2005
To the selectmen of the following towns:
Orleans, Chatham and Harwich
Ladies & Gentlemen:
The Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that bivalved molluscan shellfish and carnivorous snails from the below-defined area 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 area is 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 area is 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 area 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)
"The waters, flats and all tributaries within Pleasant Bay (SC:52N to SC:64) in the Towns of Orleans, Harwich and Chatham; and, north of a line drawn easterly from Chatham Light in the Town of Chatham to the Massachusetts state territorial boundary in area OC:1.”
Sincerely,
______________________
Paul J. Diodati
Director