November 16, 2012
(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that the Lower James River and Lynnhaven River will be opened for shellfish harvesting effective November 19, 2012. The Nansemond River will remain closed to shellfish harvesting due to a sewer line break in its headwaters during Hurricane Sandy.
Maps of the affected areas are posted on the Division of Shellfish Sanitation’s home page atwww.vdh.virginia.gov/Shellfish/. The affected shellfish are bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams, but not crabs or fin fish.
For more information on shellfish closures, see the frequently asked questions on shellfish condemnations atwww.vdh.virginia.gov/EnvironmentalHealth/Shellfish/faq/.