FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 24, 2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing all shellfish harvesting beds statewide due to excessive rainfall, the agency announced today.

"This closure goes into effect at sunset today, December 24, and affects all shellfish harvesting in the state of South Carolina," 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.

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