Wellfleet Harbor Re-Opens To Shellfishing

sk_wellfleet-oysterfest_-10-15-16-8WELLFLEET –Wellfleet Harbor re-opens to shellfishing today, a month after a Norovirus outbreak forced a shutdown of harvesting in the area.

Officials with the Division of Marine Fisheries and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said testing found that sufficient flushing has occurred in the Harbor and that water quality sampling indicated the water quality exceeds minimum standards for shellfishing. 

All beds were closed down on October 13 when the outbreak was detected. Federal requirements mandate a minimum 21-day closure if a Norovirus outbreak is detected.

“It was a challenge to be out of work for that month, but I think that we’re going to recover nicely,” said Michelle Insley, the Executive Director of Wellfleet Shellfish Promotion and Tasting. “People have been waiting for [shellfish] and they’re going to enter the marketplace at just the right time for the holidays.”

“Everyone’s concern is public safety so now that we know we’ve got clean water and clean products we’re all excited,” Insley added.

Officials believe the cause of the outbreak may have been the overboard discharge of waste.

 

 

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