In accordance with Chapter 130, section 74A of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that those areas listed below under the heading STATUS: OPEN TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH in the City of New Bedford and Towns of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, Bourne and Falmouth that were closed due to very heavy rains on March 29-30, 2010, now meet the National Shellfish Sanitation Program guidelines for an “OPEN” status.

Under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, Section 74A, 75 and 322 CMR  7.01 (7) the below-defined areas will revert to their former status prior to the rainfall closure of  March 29-30, 2010.  Those areas classified as APPROVED and in the “OPEN “ status to shellfish harvesting are now open to the harvest of shellfish 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 CONDITIONALLY APPROVED are open subject to the classification conditions. Effective as of 12:00 PM (1200 hours) on April 5, 2010.

STATUS: OPEN TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH

“The waters, flats and all tributaries of portions of Buzzards Bay including shellfish growing areas BB5-11, BB14, BB16-20, BB23-BB24, BB26-BB58 in the City of New Bedford and Towns of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, Bourne and Falmouth.  

STATUS:REMAINING CLOSED TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH
(Until Further Sampling Verifies Acceptable Water Quality)

“The waters, flats and all tributaries of: BB1-4, BB12, BB13, BB15, BB21-BB22 and BB25, in the Towns of Westport, Dartmouth, Wareham, Bourne, Falmouth and the City of New Bedford.

            In addition the following seasonally approved areas (BB25.10, BB26.1 and BB30.1) which were scheduled to close on April 1, 2010 for the season will remain closed.