Division of Marine Fisheries: OPEN to Shellfishing, Bella Vista Cove Area March 4 - January 31

Seasonal Status Change
Posted on: March 5, 2020 - 1:17pm

In accordance with Chapter 130, Section 74A of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Division of Marine Fisheries has re-examined the waters of Nasketucket Bay, Bella Vista Cove Area (BB:18.5) in the Town of Fairhaven, classified as "CONDITIONALLY APPROVED" and in the “CLOSED” status based on seasonal water quality changes. As a result of this examination the Division has determined that this below-defined area now meets the established criteria for the harvest of shellfish and has changed the status to "OPEN TO SHELLFISHING" as of sunrise on March 4, 2020. 

The below-defined area may be opened to the harvest of shellfish for direct human consumption subject to local rules and regulations under authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 130, Section 52. 

CLASSIFICATION: CONDITIONALLY APPROVED 

SEASONAL STATUS CHANGE Status: Open to Shellfishing March 4 – January 31 [Dates Inclusive] 

BB:18.5 Bella Vista Cove Area 

“The waters, flats and all tributaries of that portion of Nasketucket Bay in the Town of Fairhaven, northeast of a line drawn in a southwesterly direction from the southernmost tip of Bella Vista Island to the western end of Cherrystone Road on West Island.” 

The status of the above CONDITIONALLY APPROVED area, BB:18.5, shall automatically revert to "CLOSED TO SHELLFISHING" on February 1, 2021 unless the Division changes the area status prior to said date.

Read the full letter HERE