The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that all waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will likely no longer meet the requirements for an open status due to anticipated unacceptable water quality resulting from predicted heavy rain, storm surge and coastal flooding from Hurricane Irene.

Therefore, under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, sections 74A and 75, the below-defined areas are being placed in a “closed” status to the taking of all shellfish as of l2:00 a.m., Sunday, August 28. Digging, harvesting or collecting and/or attempting to dig, harvest or collect shellfish and the possession of shellfish from the below-defined areas is prohibited. Under authority of322 CMR 7.01 (7) all permits issued there under are hereby conditioned to prohibit the taking, selling or possession of shellfish as defined above from the below-defined areas.

After the storm, holders of aquaculture licenses under the authority of Chapter 130, Section 57, MGL, may do necessary maintenance/retrieval of their equipment after notifying and with the consent of the local shellfish constable. No shellfish maybe harvested during the closure or removed from the site for culling.

STATUS: CLOSED TO THE TAKING OF ALL SHELLFISH AS DEFINED BELOW

“The waters, flats and all tributaries of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from the New Hampshire – Massachusetts State Line south to the Rhode Island – Massachusetts State Line out to the State Boundary Line. This includes Nl-N28, GBHl-6, MBl-MB14, CCBl-CCB5l, OClOClD, SCl-SC64, NTl-NTl4, Vl-V35, El-E14 and BBl-BB58. The above-described areas shall remain closed until notification has been received from the Division that the areas have been placed into an open status.

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