The Maine Department of Marine Resources has instituted an emergency flood clam/shellfish closure along the coast effective midnight October 29 due to heavy rains and anticipated power outages associated with Hurricane Sandy.

Department of Marine Resources staff evaluated the situation Tuesday and announced the notification that closes the coast of Maine to all shellfish harvest as of 12:01 a.m. EST on October 30 because of pollution expected from heavy rainfall and coastal flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy.

“It shall be unlawful to dig, take or possess any clams, quahogs, oysters, or mussels from all shores, flats and territorial waters of the state of Maine, from the New Hampshire border to the US/Canadian border,” the notification said.

For more information, call the shellfish hotline at 1-800-232-4733 or visit www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/closures/closedarea.htm and click on Area 500 for the most recent information.