Local, state, and federal authorities are collaborating on a new hydrographic dye study to learn how wastewater flowing from the New Bedford Wastewater Treatment Plant into Buzzards Bay impacts shellfish.
“Here in Massachusetts, we pride ourselves on our nation-leading seafood industry, including culturally and economically important traditions of shellfishing in Buzzards Bay,” Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner Tom O’Shea said in a release. “We look forward to the results of this important study and are grateful for the partnership of researchers and our shellfish industry to make this possible.”
Officials plan to release a special water-tracing dye from the wastewater treatment facility on 12 September to track the flow and dispersion of treated wastewater into the bay. Officials plan to use the study results to validate shellfish closures around the treatment plant and inform responses to any future spills or untreated discharges.
“The upcoming dye study of the New Bedford wastewater treatment plant is a critical step in understanding the discharge coming from the outfall. The dye study will add to our toolbox, making sure that our customers get the best quality oyster we can produce in Nasketucket Bay,” local commercial aquaculture operators and Massachusetts Aquaculture Association Vice President Dale Levitt said in a release. “The dye study continues a close collaboration between shellfish harvesters and the Division of Marine Fisheries to ensure the quality of shellfish coming from Buzzards Bay.”
Dye study participants include the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the City of New Bedford, shellfish industry representatives, and researchers.
“This is a huge team effort – we are grateful to state and federal officials, wastewater operators, researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology, and shellfish industry leaders who will be joining us in the field to collect this important data and protect our shellfish resources in Buzzards Bay,” DMF Director Dan McKiernan said in a release.
