By WILL WHATLEY, Alabama Daily News
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has closed shellfish growing areas in Mobile Bay.
The closed shellfish growing waters affect oyster beds located in Area II and Area VII of Mobile Bay, which includes Portersville Bay and Grand Bay.
The order by ADPH State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris closed harvesting as of 10 a.m. on August 20. The order is issued as a result of a sewage discharge potentially affecting the harvest areas.
According to ADPH’s Byron Webb, the sewage discharge was a result of excess rainwater and should clear up in 21 days.
The Alabama Department of Public Health will continue to monitor bay waters and the oyster beds. Harvesting can be resumed as soon as areas meet acceptable bacteriological criteria.
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