Shellfishing to Resume Next Week at Aucoot Cove in Marion

MARION – Shellfishing in Marion can continue at Aucoot Cove after an isolated water sample was found to have exceeded the lawful bacteria standard.

Town Administrator James McGrail announced Wednesday morning that shellfishing in the area will be allowed to resume on July 11.

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has determined that no further testing will be needed and all normal shellfishing operations are safe to begin at Aucoot Cove next Thursday. The opening date is based off a mandatory 21-day closure period from when the issue was resolved.

Routine testing will continue to be done at the Marion Waste Water Treatment Plant throughout the summer to ensure that shellfishing and water conditions are safe.

"I would like to thank our residents for their patience while we have been waiting for the 21-day grace period to expire and shellfishing can resume in Aucoot Cove," said McGrail.

"Now that the issue has been resolved we do not anticipate it happening again."

On June 14, an employee of the Marion Waste Water Treatment Plant notified the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that a water quality test at the plant revealed an isolated sample that indicated a temporary exceedance of the bacteria standard for its effluent.

Following an investigation into what caused the issue, it was discovered that a filter that is part of the treatment process had become clogged. The filter was replaced within days and the issue has been resolved and is not anticipated to recur.