North Shore Shellfishers To Get $300K After Merrimack River Sewer Discharge

GLOUCESTER, MA — North Shore shellfish harvesters and oyster growers affected by the Merrimack River emergency closure will receive $300,000 in state economic relief.

Gov. Maura Healey said the aid is intended for shellfishers who could not harvest during the 12-day closure that followed what the state described as an "unprecedented sewage overflow in the river."

• 60+ MA Beaches Closed Following Torrential Rain, Merrimack River Sewage Overflow

Eligible harvesters will come from Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester and Rockport.

"Last week's sewer line break in the Merrimack River was very disruptive and significantly impacted many people," Gov. Healey said. "We know that it really hit our shellfish harvesters hard, especially at their busiest time of their season when prices and demand for local shellfish is really high."

State officials said the emergency closure was issued June 29 for shellfish growing areas N1—N14 in Gloucester, Newburyport, Essex, Ipswich, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley and Salisbury because of the sewer overflow in Haverhill.

The closure was issued to comply with national public health standards. Healey's announcement said water quality tests have been improving across the region.

The state said that means the most active shellfishing areas are no longer subject to a much longer emergency closure tied to the Haverhill overflow, but instead will be under a short-term routine closure linked to recent rainfall.

Many active shellfish areas are expected to reopen over the coming week if weather conditions allow.

The state also stressed that shellfish sold in markets and restaurants remain safe to eat.