April 15, 2009
Dartmouth, N.S. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public that the harvesting of bi-valve molluscs, except scallops, for recreational or commercial purposes in Annapolis Basin is closed effective April 14, 2009 due to an increase in levels of bacteriological contamination within the Annapolis Basin. This area will stay closed until testing results indicate the contamination levels have decreased to allow the area to open.
That portion of Annapolis Basin, inside a line drawn across Digby Gut from grid reference 281689 4950620 near Victoria Beach to grid reference 281234 4949277, north of a line drawn in Bear River at grid reference 289539 4940666 at the mouth of Chisholm Brook to grid reference 289997 4940970 and west of a line drawn at grid reference 289633 4952262 to grid reference 292644 4949360.
Note: When the boundary of an area is expressed in grid references, those grid references are based on the Universal Transverse Mercator Grid system set out on the National Topographic Series Map, Scale 1:50,000 published by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. (North American Datum 1983).
Bivalve molluscs are shellfish with two shells, and includes; oysters, clams (soft shell clams, razor clams, surf clams) mussels, and quahogs (bay and ocean) and whelks.
For further information, contact the local fishery officer and refer to Maritimes Prohibition Order SSN-2009-009.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Additional information can be found in the DFO Backgrounder, Shellfish Harvest Closures, available at:
http://www.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communications/maritimes/back03e/B-MAR-03-(3E).html
For information:
Communications Branch
Maritimes Region
(902) 426-3550
CommEnquire@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
NR-MAR-09-04E
