Lakes Bay and Shelter Island is closed to shellfishing until further notice.
TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued an advisory Wednesday, Feb. 24 immediately suspending shellfish harvesting in areas impacted by the sewer line break on Wellington Avenue in the Heights section of Ventnor City.
The suspension will ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution caused by the discharge of sewerage into Lakes Bay.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority has started emergency repairs to the line, but sewer water will continue to be pumped into the bay for several days until the leak can be repaired.
Eating shellfish contaminated by the discharge could be harmful to humans.
Water samples taken by the Atlantic County Health Department on Tuesday in six locations showed elevated bacteria levels that exceed safety standards.
Once the bypass line is installed, pumping sewer water into the bay will cease and testing will be performed to monitor improvement of water quality.
This suspension of harvest shall take effect immediately and continue until further notice.
