BALTIMORE (AP) — The Maryland Department of the Environment says portions of the Wye River in Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties are closed to shellfish harvesting because of high bacterial levels.
The closure began Monday and includes parts of the Wye East River, Wye Narrows and the main stem of the Wye River. The closure affects only the harvesting of oysters and clams and does not apply to swimming, fishing or crabbing in those areas.
The department says a shoreline survey did not identify any direct pollution sources responsible for the high bacteria levels. The areas will be reopened once bacteria levels improve.
Shellfish, which are often eaten raw, are filter feeders and can concentrate disease-causing organisms if exposed to water contaminated with high bacteria levels from sewage, animal waste or other sources.
