FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 5, 2024

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

"All remaining shellfish harvesting areas that closed December 18 due to excessive rainfall are now reopened,” said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. "Water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for the harvesting of shellfish. There are no longer any precautionary closures currently in place."

The following areas are now reopened:

• Charleston County:
  • 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 reopenings 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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