Shellfish closure could be short-lived

An accidental discharge of untreated sewage from the treatment plant in south end Digby prompted closure Saturday of the entire Annapolis Basin by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans until further notice.

Shellfish involved include clams, mussels, scallops, quahogs, whelks and oysters.

At a meeting with the association representing clam diggers in Digby and Annapolis counties, DFO manager Gus van Helvoort said the Basin might be reopened to harvesting in “a few days”.

He said he was optimistic that tests would show no harm to the Basin from the spill.

Another meeting of officials and shellfish harvesters is scheduled for Wednesday if the Basin is not opened beforehand.

A spokesman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said temporary closures are for a minimum of seven days to allow time for checking shellfish for contamination. The closure went into effect May 17 at 11 p.m.