HomeMy WebLinkAboutShellfish Closure Update 10 13 16
Press Release 10/13/2016
*****Nantucket shellfishery to remain closed until further notice*****
The Town of Nantucket Natural Resources Department in consultation with the Department of Public
Health are recommending the continued closure of Nantucket waters to all shell fishing in response to the
Toxic Plankton Bloom Closure issued by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries on October 9, 2016.
This closure is due to the abundance of Pseudo-Nitzschia in the water which has been known to produce
Domoic Acid and can cause Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP).
The Division of Marine Fisheries has deemed it safe to harvest bay scallops however, the Natural Resources
Department and the Department of Public Health feel there is a possible risk associated with the removal of
the adductor muscle and the exposure of the muscle to the contents of the scallop gut or other viscera that
could possibly contain the toxin.
*If you choose to consume bay scallop adductor muscles it is purely at your own risk.
All other shellfish species continue to be closed at this time.
The Town is working closely with the Division of Marine Fisheries to open the shellfishery as soon as
possible.
We thank you for your cooperation with this closure.