The Virginia Department of Health announced that a portion of the Rappahannock River closed to shellfish harvesting on June 23 due to flooding was reopened effective Monday July 2, 2018.
The VDH Division of Shellfish Sanitation has monitored water quality in the river since the flooding occurred. Sample results confirm that much of the area closed is now safe to reopen for harvesting. The revised emergency closure area is in effect from July 2 – 13, 2018; however, VDH is continuing to monitor water quality in the river and will reopen additional areas earlier when sample results confirm that it is safe to do so.
A map of the area is posted on the Division of Shellfish Sanitation’s home page at www.vdh.virginia.gov/Shellfish. The affected shellfish are bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams, but not crabs or finfish.
For more information on shellfish closures, see the frequently asked questions on shellfish condemnations at www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/environmental-health-services/shellfish-sanitation/frequently-asked-questions.
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