The Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that bivalve shellfish from areas SC:53 through SC:64 defined below no longer contain biotoxins (Paralytic Shellfish Poison-(PSP)) from the phytoplankton Alexandrium (spp.) in excess of established standards.  Area SC:52N, Chatham Harbor North, remains closed to all shellfish harvesting except Blue mussels.  All areas SC:52N through SC:64 remain closed to the harvesting of Moon snails (Polinices duplicatus and Lunatia heros).

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and 75 and 322 CMR sections 7.01 (7), 7.02 and 10.00, the PSP closures for bivalve shellfish on June 20, 2008 will be rescinded immediately in areas SC:53 through SC:64 (area SC:52N, Chatham Harbor North, remains closed to all shellfish harvesting except Blue mussels).    Bivalve shellfish in areas currently classified as APPROVED and in the “open” status may now be harvested 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 CONDTIONALLY APPROVED and in the “open” status are subject to the classification conditions.  All areas SC:52N through SC:64 remain closed to the harvesting of Moon snails (Polinices duplicatus and Lunatia heros).

Status: Open to Bivalve Shellfish Harvesting
  These areas remain closed to the harvesting of Moon snails (Polinices duplicatus and Lunatia heros).

PLEASANT BAY NORTH SC:53 -SC:64

"The waters, flats and all tributaries within Pleasant Bay in the Towns of Orleans, Harwich and Chatham west of a line drawn from Allen Point to the southeast tip of Strong Island and northerly of a line drawn across the northern end of the bay along the Chatham /Orleans Town Line from the north tip of Strong Isand to Nauset Beach.”

            Status: Closed to the harvest of all bivalve shellfish except Blue mussels
    This area remains closed to the harvesting of Moon snails (Polinices duplicatus and Lunatia heros).

CHATHAM HARBOR NORTH  SC:52N

            "The waters, flats and all tributaries of that portion of Chatham Harbor in the Town of Chatham, north of a line drawn along the northern edge of the South Beach Bar extending from Chatham Lighthouse to the New Inlet; west of a line drawn across the New Inlet; easterly of a line drawn from Allen Point to the southeast tip of Strong Island; and southerly of a line drawn across the northern end of the bay along the Chatham/Orleans Town Line from the north tip of Strong Island to Nauset Beach.”