In accordance with Chapter 130, section 74A of the Massachusetts General Laws, (MGL), the Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that those areas listed below under the heading ST A TUS: OPEN TO THE T AKING OF SHELLFISH in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that were closed due to the impact of Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011, now meet the National Shellfish Sanitation Program guidelines for an "OPEN" status.

Under authority ofMGL, Chapter 130, Section 74A, 75 and 322 CMR 7.01 (7) the below- defined areas will revert to their former status prior to the closure of August 28, 2011; effective at sunrise Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Those areas previously classified as APPROVED and in the "OPEN" status to shellfish harvesting are now open to the harvest of shellfish for direct human consumption subject to local rules and regulations under authority ofMGL Chapter 130, section 52. Similarly, those areas classified as CONDITIONALLY APPROVED are open subject to the classification conditions. Areas classified as RESTRICTED, CONDITIONALLY RESTRICTED and PROHIBITED remain closed to the harvest of shellfish for direct human consumption.

STATUS: OPEN TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH

"The waters, flats and all tributaries of the Commonwealth ofMassachusetts from the New Hampshire - Massachusetts State Line south to the Rhode Island - Massachusetts State Line out to the State Boundary Line. This includes GBHI-6, MBI-MBI4, CCBI-CCB51, OCI-0CI0, SCI-SC64, NTI-NTI4, VI-V35, EI-EI4, MHBI-5, BBI-BB58, N4, N5, N7 and NI1-N28

Restrictions on private aquaculture effective on August 30 are also discontinued.

STATUS: CLOSED TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH

The waters, flats and all tributaries of areas: Nl, N2, N3, N6, N8-NI0 will remain closed until further notice

Read the letter from Director Paul Diodati