Virginia Department of Health reopens portion of Back River to shellfish harvesting

The Virginia Department of Health announced today that the remaining portion of the Back River closed to shellfish harvesting on Dec. 21 due to a sewage spill has been reopened.

The VDH Division of Shellfish Sanitation has monitored water and shellfish samples in the river since the spill occurred, and sample results confirm that the area is now safe to reopen for harvesting.

For more information on shellfish closures, see the frequently asked questions on shellfish condemnations at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/environmental-health-services/shellfish-sanitation/frequently-asked-questions/.