Due to high amounts of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) toxin (also known as “red tide”) in shellfish, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has closed shellfish beds along many parts of the North Shore.

Digging, harvesting or collecting shellfish, including carnivorous snails and whole sea scallops, is prohibited in the waters, flats and tributaries in growing areas in Newburyport, Salisbury, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Rockport and Gloucester. Sea scallop adductor muscles can still be harvested.

The ban does not include the Merrimack River and Plum Island Sound. The ban also extends to marine waters managed by Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including Hampton-Seabrook Harbor.

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