Press Release  Governor Healey Announces $300,000 Financial Relief for North Shore Shellfish Harvesters Impacted by Haverhill Sewage Overflow 

Boston — Governor Maura Healey announced today $300,000 in economic relief for shellfish harvesters and oyster growers impacted by the emergency shellfish closures on the North Shore. This program will assist shellfishers who were not able to harvest during a 12-day closure following the unprecedented sewage overflow in the Merrimack River. 

“Last week’s sewer line break in the Merrimack River was very disruptive and significantly impacted many people,” said Governor Healey. “We know that it really hit our shellfish harvesters hard, especially at their busiest time of their season when prices and demand for local shellfish is really high. I wanted to find a way to help those folks out who still have to pay their bills even though beds were closed. Massachusetts is proud of the culturally and economically important tradition of shellfishing. We value their hard work and are committed to supporting them as they continue to provide food for our families, restaurants and others.” 

“Stronger storms and increased precipitation strain our aging sewer infrastructure, which impacts our shellfish industry,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We responded swiftly to contain the overflow, track impacts on shellfish resources, and quickly identify funding to support harvesters impacted by this event. With the emergency closure lifted, we look forward to harvesters getting back to work early next week.” 

Economic Relief Program 
The economic relief program, administered by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), will distribute $300,000 to shellfish harvesters impacted by the closure. This amount covers the maximum estimated shellfish harvest from the impacted growing areas during the 12-day emergency closure. Funds will be distributed to eligible harvesters from Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester and Rockport. In the coming days, DMF is immediately convening an advisory group of impacted shellfish harvesters to provide input and feedback to determine eligibility, payment structure and ensure funds are distributed fairly across the industry. 

“This economic relief will go a long way to support our harvesters who work tirelessly to provide iconic softshell clams and oysters on the North Shore,” said Department of Fish & Game (DFG) Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We are grateful for our partners in the legislature, municipalities, and industry leaders who have come together to identify ways to support our shellfish harvesters as we navigate increased challenges from sewage overflows across the state.” 

“We work diligently to uphold rigorous public health standards and ensure shellfish are safe to eat. This includes close work with our shellfish constables and harvesters to respond quickly when emergencies like this happen and work swiftly to reopen areas as soon as possible. Thanks to this robust partnership, when you order Massachusetts shellfish at restaurants and markets, you can trust it is safe, healthy, and delicious,” said DMF Director Dan McKiernan. 

Reopening Status 
On June 29, to comply with national public health standards, DMF issued an emergency shellfish closure for shellfish growing areas N1—N14 in Gloucester, Newburyport, Essex, Ipswich, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, and Salisbury due to the sewer overflow in Haverhill. Since then, water quality tests have been improving across the region. Because of the water quality improvements, DMF tested shellfish meats in some of these areas for male-specific coliphage, a viral pathogen indicator. Those tests came back negative on July 9. This means that the most active shellfishing areas are no longer subject to a much longer emergency closure associated with the Haverhill SSO, and instead will only be subject to a short-term routine closure associated with the recent rainfall. Many active shellfish areas are expected to reopen over the coming week if weather conditions allow. These various closure protocols protect public health and comply with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.   

Shellfish Safety 
Shellfish sold in markets and in restaurants remain safe to eat. Rigorous national standards and active management of these areas will ensure shellfish remain safe as areas reopen. Shellfish are filter feeders, and they can quickly accumulate and concentrate contaminants from the environment, and also naturally filter out contaminants.   

Statements of Support 

Gloucester Mayor Paul Lundberg: 
“This support is welcome news for Gloucester's shellfish harvesters and the families that depend on this work. The emergency closure came at a busy time of year. I want to thank Governor Healey, Secretary Tepper, Commissioner O'Shea, Director McKiernan, and our legislative delegation for recognizing the impact this had on our coastal communities and for moving quickly to provide relief.” 

Ipswich Town Manager Brendan Sweeney: 
“Ipswich’s clammers were hit especially hard by these emergency closures during what is normally their busiest and most profitable time of year, so this economic relief is deeply appreciated. We’re grateful to the Healey Administration and our legislative partners for recognizing the impact on our community and stepping up to support the hardworking harvesters who sustain our world-renowned shellfishing industry.” 

State Senator Bruce Tarr: 
“The untreated sewer release into the Merrimack River has had a major adverse economic impact on the region, and some of those impacts are not yet even fully understood. But what is clear is that the North Shore's softshell clam fishery has suffered among the most substantial losses from being shut down during one of the peak revenue periods of the summer. This relief, coming swiftly in the wake of the closures, is incredibly important for clammers whose forks have been idle and whose bills haven't stopped. Thank you to the administration and all who have made this possible for your partnership and collaboration during this trying time.” 

State Representative Kristin Kassner:  
“The busiest week of the year, the shellfish harvesters were hit with an unexpected closure due to the sewer break in Haverhill. This funding is critical to the survival of this important economy that is part of the identity of the region. Thank you to the Healey administration and DMF for their swift action." 

State Representative Dawne Shand: 
“I am grateful for the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s quick action. Through no fault of their own, the shellfish harvesters were put out of work during the season’s busiest week. Restoring lost wages and helping the industry to reopen are fair, smart, and necessary initiatives.” 

State Representative Dru Tarr:  
"This relief will provide meaningful support to our harvesters and their families who lost critical income during the twelve-day emergency closure. People who make their living in this industry cannot simply make up those lost days, particularly during one of the busiest and most valuable periods of the year. I appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration's quick response and will continue working with our state and local partners on long-term solutions that protect our coastal waters, strengthen the shellfish industry, and reduce the risk of future disruptions." 

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