The Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that Blue mussels Mytilus edulis and Soft-shell 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 and carnivorous snails with the exception of the adductor of the sea scallop.

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CMR sections 7.01 (7), 7.02 and 10.00, the PSP closures for Blue mussels and Soft-shell clams on May 15, 2008 will be rescinded at sunrise on Thursday July 10, 2008 in the below-defined areas.  Blue mussels and Soft-shell clams in areas currently classified as APPROVED and in the “open” status may be harvested on Thursday July 10, 2008 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 or CONDITIONALLY RESTRICTED and in the “open” status are subject to the classification conditions.  All previous bacterial closures remain in effect.  Harvesting of all other shellfish, carnivorous snails, whole scallops or roe-on scallops 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 Blue mussels and Soft-shell clams only.  These areas remains closed to the harvesting of all other shellfish and carnivorous snails with the exception of the adductor of the sea scallop.

The waters, flats and all tributaries in above-listed cities and towns and those marine waters  managed by the Commonwealth from the New Hampshire/Massachusetts state boundary to the Gloucester/Manchester-by-the-Sea municipal line, areas N1 through N14.