February 18, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virignia.gov
Virginia Department of Health Closes Portion of the James River to Shellfish Harvesting
RICHMOND, Va. –The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced an emergency closure of portions of the James River to shellfish harvesting due to significant river flooding. Because floodwaters can be contaminated with pollutants such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, shellfish taken from the area affected by the emergency closure will be unacceptable for consumption. The temporary emergency closure will be effective from February 20 to March 1, 2025.
The affected shellfish are filter-feeding bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams but not crabs or fin fish.
A map of the affected area is posted on the Division of Shellfish Safety’s home page at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Shellfish/.
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