Fairhaven Shellfish Area Finally Re-Opens

Ten years after the Bouchard Oil spill, one of the last shellfishing area affected by the spill is about to be re opened.

According to published reports, the area of the Fairhaven coastline from the east side of Sconticut Neck to the western side of West Island up to Causeway Road has been closed to quahoggers and scallopers since the spill reached it in April of 2003.

The area was originally scheduled to be opened earlier this month but leakage from New Bedford's sewer system delayed it. The Fairhaven Board of Selectmen are expected to vote to open the area at its Monday meeting. However, an area from the southern tip of Hoppy's Landing to Gull Island Road will still be off limits.