The Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that Soft-shelled clams Mya arenaria from the below-defined area no longer contain biotoxins (Paralytic Shellfish Poison-(PSP)) from the phytoplankton Alexandrium (spp.) in excess of established standards.  This area remains closed to the harvesting of all other shellfish.

Therefore, under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, sections 74A and 75 and 322 CMR sections 7.01 (7), 7.02 and 10.00, the PSP closures for Soft-shelled clams on May 15, 2008 will be rescinded at sunrise on June 29, 2008 in the below-defined area.  Soft-shelled clams in areas currently classified as APPROVED and in the “open” status may be harvested on June 29, 2008 for direct human consumption subject to local rules and regulations and conditional classification status under authority of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 130, section 52.  Similarly, those areas classified as CONDTIONALLY APPROVED and in the “open” status are subject to the classification conditions.  Harvesting of all other shellfish from the below-defined area shall remain prohibited until such time as the Division of Marine Fisheries determines that they no longer contain PSP.

Status: Open to Shellfish Harvesting of Soft-shelled clams only.  This area remains closed to the harvesting of all other shellfish.

Essex Bay N:7

“The waters, flats, and tributaries of Essex Bay in the City of Gloucester and the towns of Essex and Ipswich west and inside of line drawn west and south from the northern tip of Two Penny Loaf to the southern-most tip of Cranes Beach.”