Emergency closure on James River impacts shellfish harvesting
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has announced that a portion of the James River will close to shellfish harvesting.
Map of the areas on the James River where shellfish harvesting is prohibited from Feb. 20 to March 1. (Photo: Virginia Department of Health)
An emergency closure will be in place on portions of the James River to shellfish harvesting due to flooding in the river.
According to VDH, because the floodwaters could be possibly contaminated with pollutants like pathogenic bacteria and viruses, shellfish taken from the emergency closure area would be "unacceptable for consumption."
The temporary closure will be effective from Thursday, Feb. 20 until Saturday, March 1.
VDH said the affected shellfish are filter-feeding bivalve mollusks, which include oysters and clams, but not crabs or fin fish.
