Hearing on Closure of Oyster Reef Restoration Site to Be Held October 5

CONTACT:
Renee Zobel: (603) 868-1095
Robert Atwood: (603) 868-1095
August 31, 2026

Durham, NH – The NH Fish and Game Department (NHFG) is proposing the closure of a 2-acre area of Great Bay to shellfish harvest to continue oyster reef restoration efforts in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and the University of New Hampshire. NHFG will hold a public hearing regarding the closure at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Urban forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH. At the hearing, The Nature Conservancy and University of New Hampshire will each offer presentations regarding the restoration project, and the Department will take public comments on their request to close the 20 acres to shellfish harvest.

State law (RSA 211:63-b) gives the Executive Director of NHFG the authority to “order a closing of clam, oyster, and other bivalve areas for the purpose of restoration of the area, provided that the closure will not unduly interfere with existing or anticipated commercial or recreational activities.” Such a closure “shall continue in effect for a period of not more than 5 years.”

The proposed 20-acre area is comprised of two restoration sites: a 5-acre site near Woodman Point and a 15-acre site near Nannie Island. Only the 5-acre and 15-acre restoration areas, depicted on the map, are being proposed for closure to shellfish harvest. The existing Nannie Island oyster reef and the Woodman Point oyster reef would remain open to recreational oyster harvesters. The closure would be in effect for 5 years to increase the likelihood of successful restoration and enhancement of the oyster population at the site.

The public is invited to attend to provide feedback or to submit comments via e-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov. Written comments will be accepted through October 12, 2026.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.