Barnstable Shellfish Ban After Heavy Rain

BARNSTABLE, MA — Shellfishing was closed in Barnstable and surrounding Cape Cod communities after heavy rain last week. The state Division of Marine Fisheries announced the emergency closure for Barnstable, Falmouth, Bourne, Sandwich, Mashpee and Lewis Bay in Yarmouth. The closure is in effect until further notice.

Thunderstorms last week drenched Cape Cod in more than 4 inches of rain, flooding roads. Barnstable officials issued this statement about the shellfish closure:

"The Town of Barnstable is CLOSED TO ALL HARVEST OF SHELLFISH until further notice per order of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

...due to extreme rainfall, the Division of Marine Fisheries has issued an emergency closure for all conditionally approved and approved shellfish growing areas East of the Cape Cod Canal in the Towns of Sandwich, Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee and Barnstable, and Lewis Bay in Yarmouth. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. Contact your local shellfish department for additional information."

Photo: Tara Schmidt/Flickr