The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has repealed a recent (June 20, 2008) emergency action that restricted shellfish harvest from federal waters adjacent to Massachusetts because the National Marine Fisheries Service has taken federal action to restrict harvest in the area. The July 2nd federal notice at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/nr/nrdoc/08/08PSPexpansion.pdf announced an action to expand the Northern Temporary PSP Closure Area south to include the Federal waters southeast of Massachusetts around Nantucket Island , and eastward to the George's Bank PSP Closure Area. The boundaries of the Southern Temporary PSP Closure area were also revised.

The revised and expanded Northern Temporary PSP Closure Area prohibits the harvest of all bivalve molluscan shellfish, with the exception of sea scallop adductor muscles harvested and shucked at sea.

The revised and contracted Southern Temporary PSP Closure Area is open to the harvest of Atlantic surfclams, quahogs, and scallops harvested for the adductor muscle and shucked at sea. The harvest of whole or roe-on scallops is prohibited.

Questions on federal action should be directed to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Questions regarding state waters fisheries should be directed to David Whittaker at 617-727-0394 ext.126.