Ensure water is clean and safe for harvesting of fish and shellfish.
Shellfish strain water through their gills to trap microscopic plants and animals for food. If the water is contaminated with disease-causing bacteria or viruses, these can be consumed as food by shellfish. When eaten raw or partially cooked, these shellfish can make people sick. Assuring that oysters and clams are harvested only from areas that are safe and open to harvesting minimizes the risk of human illness. In shellfish waters approved for harvesting, harvesting is permitted any time.