Division of Marine Fisheries: BB15.4 Status Change
In accordance with Chapter 130, Section 74A of Massachusetts General Laws, the Division of Marine Fisheries has become aware of the unpredictable discharge of CSO's and the associated poor water quality into New Bedford Outer Harbor. Therefore, the Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that New Bedford/Fairhaven Harbor (BB:15.4), in the City of New Bedford and the Town of Fairhaven, no longer meets the established criteria for a status of "OPEN TO SHELLFISHING". The status of the below defined area shall be changed to "CLOSED TO SHELLFISHING" as of sunrise on August 19, 2020.
Under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 130, Section 74A, the status of the below defined area shall be changed to "CLOSED TO SHELLFISHING". Digging, harvesting or collecting and/or attempting to dig, harvest or collect shellfish and the possession of shellfish from the below defined area is prohibited until further notice.
Under authority of 322 CMR 7.01 (7) all permits issued thereunder are hereby conditioned to prohibit the taking, selling or possession of shellfish from the below defined area.
BB:15.4 Fairhaven Outer Harbor East
“The waters, flats and tributaries of New Bedford/Fairhaven Outer Harbor south of a line drawn in a southwesterly direction from the "NO SHELLFISHING" sign on the beach at the western end of Highland Avenue in the Town of Fairhaven to Green Buoy #15 and thence to the "NO SHELLFISHING" sign at the base of the pier at Fredrick Street Boat Ramp in the City of New Bedford, north of a line drawn from Clark’s Point in New Bedford to Wilbur Point in the Town of Fairhaven, southeasterly of a line drawn from the base of the Fishing Pier on the eastern shore of Fort Rodman, in the City of New Bedford, to the yellow shellfish buoy west of a line drawn from the yellow shellfish buoy towards the Green Buoy #9 where it intersects a line from Clark Point in the City of New Bedford to Wilbur Point in the Town of Fairhaven and continuing to Clark Point in the City of New Bedford, west of a line drawn across the mouth of Perryville Pond and northwesterly of a line drawn from the "NO SHELLFISHING" sign on the outer beach west of Winsegansett Pond to the "NO SHELLFISHING" sign on the beach at the southern end of Silver Shell Beach Drive and westerly of a line drawn from the "NO SHELLFISHING" sign at the western end of Murray Street in the Town of Fairhaven to the "NO SHELLFISHING" sign on the outer beach west of Winsegansett Pond and that portion of the shipping channel east of a line drawn from Green Buoy #15 to Green Buoy #11, north of a line drawn from Green Buoy can #11 to Red Nun #10 and west of a line drawn from Red Nun #10 to Red Nun #14 and south of a line drawn from Red Nun #14 to Green Can #15.”
The Officical Document from the Division of Marine Fisheries can be found HERE