FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2010

Contact: Darlene Yuhas (609) 984-1795
Elaine Makatura (609) 292-2994

EFFECTS OF NOR’EASTER CAUSE DEP TO CLOSE NEW JERSEY SHELLFISH BEDS
IN NY/NJ HARBOR

(10/P18) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection today temporarily closed to shellfish harvesting about 27,800 acres of Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, the Navesink River and the Shrewsbury River to protect public health from the adverse water-quality effects of last weekend's nor’easter.

The closure is effective immediately.

In the storm’s aftermath, bacteria levels exceed national criteria for safe harvesting. The DEP will continue monitoring water quality to determine when it is safe for harvesting to resume.

Attached is the closure notice and map detailing affected waters.

Attachment: Closure notice and map (pdf)

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