FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2005

Contact: Karen Hershey
(609) 984-1795

DELAWARE BAY SHELLFISH BEDS RE-OPENED AFTER TWO-WEEK CLOSURE

TRENTON (05/95) - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell signed an order today re-opening 93 square miles of Delaware Bay shellfish beds. The beds were closed on June 24 due to the presence of the bacterium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp), in excess of acceptable levels. Vp is a naturally occurring pathogen that is not related to pollution.

Results from DEP sampling show that levels now comply with the criteria for safe harvest recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The re-opening takes effect Saturday July 9, 2005.

See Order below.

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Related Link:

NJDEP Bureau of Shellfisheries
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/shelhome.htm

Richard J. Codey Acting Governor

Department of Environmental Protection

Bradley M. Campbell Commissioner

REVOCATION OF SHELLFISH HARVEST
SUSPENSION

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
LAND USE MANAGEMENT

Public Notice of Revocation of the Suspension of Harvest in Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and in response to the presence of the pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus in levels that exceed acceptable criteria, the Department of Environmental Protection ordered the suspension of harvesting of all shellfish (oysters, clams and mussels only) from those State waters previously classified as Approved or Seasonally Approved within the following area:

All of New Jersey’s waters in Delaware Bay that are northwest of a line from the mouth of Straight Creek to Cross Ledge Lighthouse, commonly known as the Southwest Line.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that the shellfish meet the criteria for safe harvest recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration, I hereby revoke the prohibition, returning these waters to their prior classification effective on July 9, 2005