August 7, 2024 — Areas for shellfish harvesting have been closed due to contaminated runoff from recent heavy rainfall.
Maine’s Department of Marine Resources says it’s closed areas of the Freeport-Harpswell coast after rain showers carried animal waste into waters where shellfish feed.
Parts of Scarborough, Brunswick, and Yarmouth are also closed due to waste runoff.
Bryant Lewis at MDMR says that filter feeders like the shellfish in these areas are of special concern when water is contaminated like this.