{"id":747261,"date":"2026-07-06T22:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/747261\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T22:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:08:15","slug":"clammers-clamor-for-answers-after-sewer-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/747261\/","title":{"rendered":"Clammers clamor for answers after sewer break"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sewage leak, which began on June 26 after a break in an aging sewer main that carries most of Haverhill\u2019s wastewater to a treatment plant, was not halted until July 1, and dumped an estimated 8 to 10 million gallons of sewage into the Merrimack River each day. This triggered a 21-day closure of the clamming flats in the Great Marsh, stretching from Salisbury to Gloucester.<\/p>\n

It could not have come at a worse time. That\u2019s because July is peak season for clams, with high demand at the fried clam shacks that dot the coast, and high prices for diggers. For commercial clammers, it is akin to a toy store getting shut down during the Christmas shopping season. <\/p>\n

But there is a sliver of hope that the flats could open Thursday. There is a provision that allows scientists to test the meat of the clams seven days after the contamination event has ended, which would be Wednesday. If the clams pass the test for male-specific coliphage, state officials said, they would put out the word on Thursday morning and have the clammers back on the flats for the low tide that afternoon. <\/p>\n

But if the meat fails that test, it would default to the 21-day ban, which would start the date the leak was fixed and keep clammers out of work until at least July 22. <\/p>\n

\"AA state shellfish official presented information at the meeting.Jessica Rinaldi\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n

Given the impact to livelihoods, the meeting was understandably tense, even as it remained cordial. Elected officials and representatives from the state\u2019s Division of Marine Fisheries explained the science of the closures and addressed the elephant in the room \u2014 Is anyone going to compensate the clammers for this man-made blow to their livelihood?<\/p>\n

State Senator Bruce Tarr, who represents the impacted communities and ran the meeting, said he and the elected officials on the panel were exploring all options for some form of compensation. A clammer asked him to pledge that he would get them compensation; Tarr promised to do everything he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is an urgency to this meeting. People are not working during the time of year when clams are at a premium,\u201d Tarr said. We\u2019re exploring avenues to financial relief quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kristin Kassner, a state representative who represents Ipswich and surrounding communities, said commercial shellfishermen have every right to be upset with what has happened to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t break a ticking-time-bomb sewer,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is the industry we\u2019re known for at the busiest time of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael Matheson, a clam digger, questioned officials during the meeting.Jessica Rinaldi\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n

And most profitable. Patrick Saunders, whose said his family has been clamming in Rowley for three centuries, said that while weather is always a factor for clammers \u2014 the flats close for five days after heavy rain \u2014 he could never remember anything like this man-made disaster.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so disappointing,\u201d said Saunders, 33. \u201cAround the 4th of July, prices go from $1.50 a pound to $3.50 or $4.00 a pound, so this is a huge blow to a way of life around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clammers that spoke at the meeting asked about the science, and potential compensation, but there was a general feeling of quiet helplessness about the entire matter. Everyone has had more than a week to process that this is a season that has been stolen by sewage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get it,\u201d said Daniel McKiernan, the director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. \u201cThe timing of this event is just awful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"StateState Senator Bruce Tarr, left, spoke during the meeting.Jessica Rinaldi\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n

Billy Baker can be reached at billy.baker@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him on Instagram @billy_baker<\/a>.<\/p>\n