FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing multiple shellfish harvesting beds due to excessive rainfall, the agency announced today. This closure will impact several shellfish harvesting locations in Beaufort County. This includes Shellfish Management Areas 14, 15, 16A and 17. Those locations can be viewed on our web page at https://www.scdhec.gov/food-safety/shellfish-monitoring-program-overview/shellfish-maps

"This closure goes into effect at sunset today, April 20, and impacts all shellfish harvesting from the Broad River and it's tributaries North to the Ashpoo River," said Mike Pearson, manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. "The harvesting areas will be evaluated and reopen once water quality data indicate bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting."

For more information on clam and oyster harvesting areas in Beaufort County, call DHEC's Beaufort Environmental Affairs Office at 843-846-1030 or visit www.scdhec.gov/shellfish.

                                                                                         ###