Closure through 2 December 2009.
Emergency Closure Number 210E, covering selected tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, is being issued to close shellfish harvesting effective November 19, 2009 through December 2, 2009. These actions continue as a precautionary measure to protect the public health from bacteria and viruses in floodwaters and sewage bypasses caused by tidal flooding and rainfall from the Nor’easter and the remnants of Hurricane Ida that affected Virginia from November 11-13.
The Division of Shellfish Sanitation (DSS) is responsible for protecting the health of the consumers of molluscan shellfish and crustacea by ensuring that shellfish growing waters are properly classified for harvesting, and that molluscan shellfish and crustacea processing facilities meet sanitation standards. The mission of the Division of Shellfish Sanitation is to minimize the risk of disease from molluscan shellfish and crustacea products at the wholesale level by classifying shellfish waters for safe commercial and recreational harvest; by implementing a statewide regulatory inspection program for commercial processors and shippers; and by providing technical guidance and assistance to the shellfish and crustacea industries regarding technical and public health issues.
To learn more about the closure, visit the Emergency Regulation at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/EnvironmentalHealth/Shellfish/documents/emer_cond210E.pdf [PDF].
