FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
Jan. 4, 2024 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is immediately reopening additional shellfish harvesting beds, the agency announced today. 

"Several additional shellfish harvesting areas are now reopened, however, some shellfish management areas need to remain closed until water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for the harvesting of shellfish,” said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. 

The following areas are now reopened: 

• Georgetown County 
  • Shellfish Management Area 04 - Murrells Inlet 
• Charleston County 
  • Shellfish Management Area 6B - McClellanville/Cape Romain Harbor/Cape Island 
  • Shellfish Management Area 7 - Bulls Bay 

The following areas currently remain closed: 

• Shellfish Management Area 8 - Bull Island/Capers Island/Isle of Palms 
• Shellfish Management Area 9A - Isle of Palms/Hamlin Sound/Sullivans Island 

DHEC has communicated these additional reopenings and remaining closures to the state's shellfish dealers and permit holders and is updating the online closure map, webpages, and shellfish hotline. For additional information, visit scdhec.gov/shellfish. 

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