DNREC Reopens Indian River Bay to Clamming and Shellfish Harvesting After Millsboro Sewage Release

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control today reopened the Indian River Bay to clamming and shellfish harvest after a mandatory 21-day closure that followed a Jan. 15 wastewater release from the town of Millsboro’s sewage system.

The emergency closure was enforced by DNREC under National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements when the sewage spill threatened to impact the bay. The closure period was protective of public health and also allowed time for natural cleansing of both bivalve shellfish and areas of the Indian River Bay that the clams and mussels inhabit.

In lifting the closure, the DNREC Shellfish Program reiterated today that the Indian River Bay closure did not impact Rehoboth Bay, particularly the oysters grown there under commercial aquaculture leases. The harvest of crabs, conch and finfish in the Indian River Bay was not affected by the closure.

More information about closures and the DNREC Shellfish Program is available on the de.gov/shellfish webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities.  For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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