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All SC shellfish harvesting beds closed after ‘excessive’ rainfall, state agency says

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control closed all shellfish harvesting beds in the state due to excessive rainfall, the agency announced Tuesday.

The closure went into effect Tuesday at sunset, the announcement said.

“The harvesting areas will be evaluated and reopen once water quality data indicate bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting,” said Mike Pearson, manager of DHEC’s Shellfish Sanitation Section.

For more information on clam and oyster harvesting areas in Beaufort County, call DHEC’s Beaufort Environmental Affairs Office at (843) 846-1030 or visit DHEC’s shellfish monitoring website.

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Profile Image of Kacen Bayless
Kacen Bayless
The Island Packet
(843) 560-9167
A reporter for The Island Packet covering projects and investigations, Kacen Bayless is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri with an emphasis in investigative reporting. In the past, he’s worked for St. Louis Magazine, the Columbia Missourian, KBIA and the Columbia Business Times. His work has garnered Missouri and South Carolina Press Association awards for investigative, enterprise, in-depth, health, growth and government reporting. He was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism in 2020.
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