Shellfish harvest in the Delaware Bay and inland rivers has been suspended for the second time this year because of wastewater discharge.
The Delaware State News reports Kent County Public Works Director Andrew Jakubowitch says the Kent County wastewater treatment plant has been discharging "undertreated" wastewater since July 5 because of operational issues, resulting in significantly elevated levels of the enterococcus bacteria.
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin issued an emergency order Tuesday, closing recreational shellfishing in the Delaware Bay north of the Mispillion Inlet entrance.
The closure only affects the harvest of clams, oysters and mussels and does not affect the legal harvest of other shellfish species. The closure will remain in effect for 21 days after the resolution of the issue.
