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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626.1520 Fax (617) 626.1509 |
 Deval Patrick Governor Ian Bowles Secretary Mary B. Griffin Commissioner |
May 21, 2008
To the selectmen and mayors of the following municipalities:
Salisbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Beverly, Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant
Ladies & Gentlemen:
Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poison ( PSP ) toxin (also known as “Red Tide”) in shellfish and reported elevated phytoplankton levels of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium (spp.), the Division of Marine Fisheries has closed the below-defined areas.
Therefore, under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, Section 74A and 75, the status of the below-defined areas have been changed to CLOSED TO THE TAKING OF BIVALVE SHELLFISH AND CARNIVEROUS SNAILS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ADDUCTOR OF THE SEA SCALLOP effective immediately. Digging, harvesting or collecting and/or attempting to dig, harvest or collect shellfish and the possession of shellfish, including carnivorous snails, 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.
AREAS CLOSED TO THE HARVEST OF ALL SHELLFISH WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ADDUCTOR OF THE SEA SCALLOP “The waters, flats and all tributaries in the above-listed cities and towns and those marine waters managed by the Commonwealth from the Gloucester/Manchester By The Sea town line to East Point in the Town of Nahant including designated shellfish growing areas N:15 to N:24 and MB:14.”
Sincerely,
______________________
Paul J. Diodati
Director
cc: J. Hanlon, R. Arduini, K. Dolan, P. Hanlon, J. Tulik DELE
D. McKiernan, M. Hickey, J. Kennedy, D. Whittaker, DMF
WPC, DEP
FDA
DPH
Shellfish Constables of the above Cities and Towns
