Governor Healey Expands Access to Shellfishing on the North Shore

IPSWICH, NEWBURY & ROWLEY—Governor Maura Healey today announced expanded access to shellfish harvesting in Plum Island Sound after extensive testing by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) found significant improvements in water quality. The updated requirements are expected to cut rainfall-related closures by more than half in one of the most productive shellfish areas on the North Shore, giving more than 200 commercial shellfishers and hundreds of recreational shellfishers as many as 72 additional harvesting days each year.

Plum Island Sound includes some of the North Shore’s most productive shellfish areas in Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich. Historically, these areas have been closed to harvesting for an average of approximately 130 days each year because of rainfall. Under the updated requirements, most shellfish beds will remain open when the area receives less than one inch of rain, while closures following heavier rainfall will also be shortened.

“Shellfishing is an important part of the North Shore’s economy, culture and way of life, and we’ve been working to support our Massachusetts shellfishers and strengthen our working waterfronts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Because the water in Plum Island Sound is cleaner and the science says it’s safe, we can give more than 200 commercial shellfishers up to 72 more days a year to harvest. That means more certainty for their businesses, more local seafood on our tables and more support for a North Shore industry that has been part of these communities for generations.”

“Shellfishing is part of the identity and economy of the North Shore, supporting families, small businesses and working waterfronts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is exactly the kind of progress we want to see – cleaner water creating more opportunity for the people who depend on it. By working with communities, investing in water quality and following the science, we can protect public health while helping this important local industry thrive.”

“The science shows how much water quality has improved across Plum Island Sound and gives us an opportunity to expand access for an industry that is important to our coastal communities,” said Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Shellfishers are an important part of our working waterfronts. These changes give them more opportunities to harvest while maintaining strong protections for public health.”

Shellfish are filter feeders, and they can quickly accumulate and concentrate pathogens and contaminants from the environment, which can pose hazards to public health. During heavy rain, stormwater can carry pollution from roads, parking lots, and buildings into waterways, creating potential public health risks. For that reason, some shellfish growing in areas are designated as “Conditionally Approved” areas and temporarily close when rainfall or other conditions could make shellfish unsafe to eat.

DMF establishes these closure requirements through sanitary surveys, which evaluate potential pollution sources and test water quality under a variety of conditions. Plum Island Sound has been subject to rainfall-based closures since the 1980s. While those requirements have been important for protecting public health, recent improvements in water quality prompted DMF to conduct additional testing to determine whether the closure criteria could safely be updated.

The results show rainfall closures can be significantly reduced in the majority of Plum Island Sound, known asN4 – Area A. That area will now remain open when there is less than one inch of rainfall. When rainfall reaches one inch or more, the closure period will be five days year-round, down from an eight-day closure during much of the year under the previous requirements.

Rainfall requirements will remain unchanged in certain tributaries, known as N4 – Area B, and areas classified as Prohibited will remain closed to shellfishing under all conditions.

“This much-needed update will go a long way to support our shellfish harvesters who work tirelessly to provide iconic softshell clams and oysters on the North Shore,” said Department of Fish & Game (DFG) Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We are grateful for our partners in the legislature, municipalities, industry leaders, and our state shellfish team, who have come together to identify solutions as we navigate challenges from stormwater pollution across the state.”

“Here at DMF, we work diligently to uphold rigorous public health standards for shellfish safety, all while supporting our industry and ensuring shellfish harvested in Massachusetts are the best in the nation,” said DMF Director Dan McKiernan. “This includes close work and partnership with municipal shellfish constables and harvesters to tirelessly monitor water quality and ensure shellfish are safe, healthy, and delicious. Through rigorous testing over the past two years, we are proud to see this hard work pay off and expand access to some of the most productive shellfish areas in the state.”

Since taking office, Governor Healey has taken a number of steps to support Massachusetts shellfishers and strengthen the state’s fishing and aquaculture industries.

In July, Governor Healey announced $300,000 in direct economic relief for North Shore shellfish harvesters and oyster growers impacted by emergency closures following the Haverhill sewage overflow. In 2024, DMF provided direct relief to commercial shellfishers impacted by the closure of the Newburyport Depuration Plant and awarded more than $91,000 for new high-efficiency ice machines to support shellfishers and aquaculture businesses.

The administration has also awarded $1.6 million in fisheries resiliency grants, including investments to expand shellfish seed production and improve oyster farm equipment and infrastructure. Most recently, the administration awarded Ipswich $201,490 to improve tidal flow and coastal habitat in Paine Creek, which connects to Plum Island Sound.

Previous Rain Criteria	New Rain Criteria
No separately managed subareas	Greater Plum Island Sound (N 4.0.)
Winter Season (Dec 15 – March 31): ≥ 1” in 24-hour period, 5-day closure	< 1” in 24-hour period; No Closure ≥ 1” in 24-hour period, 5-day closure, yr-round
	Tributary Rivers (N 4.1, N 4.6, N 4.16, and N 4.7) Classifications remain the same:
Summer Season (April 1 – Dec 14): ≥ 0.5” <1.0”, 5-day closure; ≥ 1.0”, 8-day closure	Winter Season (Dec 15 – March 31): ≥ 1” in 24-hour period, 5-day closure
	Summer Season (April 1 – Dec 14):  ≥ 0.5” < 1.0”, 5-day closure; ≥ 1.0”, 8-day closure

“Rainfall closures are a major challenge for those in the shellfish sector because they are unpredictable and can cause significant and extended loss of harvest opportunity, resulting in substantial loss of income. Our state’s first priority must always be public health and safety, and if science and data tell us that rainfall closures can be reduced, that should happen as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone at the Division of Marine Fisheries who has worked hard to make this possible.”

“Our region’s clammers and oyster farmers work hard to produce shellfish of the highest quality despite operating in an increasingly challenging regulatory landscape. Harvest closures triggered by minimal rainfall have long imposed significant constraints on this vital industry. Thank you to the Division of Marine Fisheries and Healey administration for conducting the extensive testing in partnership with our harvesters to provide clear scientific evidence that our local shellfish are not adversely affected by small rainfall events. This enables the Commonwealth to expand shellfish harvesting opportunities to preserve an industry that has been integral to the economic and cultural identity of our communities for generations.”

The National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), overseen by U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), sets standards for shellfish safety to protect public health. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) are responsible for ensuring compliance with these standards in Massachusetts.

To accomplish this, DMF manages shellfish growing areas statewide. Growing area classifications (Approved, Conditionally Approved, Restricted, Conditionally Restricted, and Prohibited) are assigned based on sanitary surveys of pollution sources, water quality, and environmental conditions to ensure shellfish harvested from these areas meet public health standards. See DMF’s Shellfish Classification Areas. Additionally, DMF is required to close shellfish growing areas on an emergency basis, regardless of their classification, when there is a known pollution source like stormwater runoff from heavy rainfall, sewer overflows, oil spills, or naturally occurring risks such as red tide and other biotoxins.