TOMS RIVER, NJ — If you have spent time clamming in the Toms River, those days are over. The state Department of Environmental Protection has banned shellfish harvesting in the river, effective immediately, due to unacceptable levels of fecal coliform.

The ban applies to clams, mussels, oysters and other shellfish. It does not apply to crabs, including blue claw crabs, because they are crustaceans. In a notice issued Wednesday, the DEP said an analysis of water sample data from the Toms River showed it has consistently exceeded the fecal coliform levels permitted for harvesting shellfish for human consumption for the last few years.

Part of the Toms River is listed as a "restricted" harvest area; shellfish taken from it must go to a depuration facility, where the shellfish is placed in clean saltwater for a period of time to allow it to purge itself of pollution and impurities. To qualify as restricted, the average level of coliform cannot be more than 88 colonies and cannot exceed 163 colonies, according to the DEP. The last two summers in particular, bathing beaches on the Toms River have been closed due to fecal coliform bacteria levels. The standard for the amount of fecal coliform that is allowed for swimming beaches in a sample of fresh water is 200 colonies per 100ml of water.

Shellfish growing areas are routinely monitored throughout New Jersey, the DEP said, "to ensure the wholesomeness of shellfish intended for human consumption." The area now banned from harvesting shellfish, including clams, mussels and oysters, stretches across the river from just east of Dillon's Creek near Island Heights to a portion of Ocean Gate. The ban extends an area of the river that already was under a harvest prohibition.

Shellfish harvesting also was banned in the Stow Creek area of Delaware Bay and at Maple Swamp in Ludlam Bay, the DEP notice said.

Read the full public notice here.

