Description of the 48 Lower Tampa Bay System Shellfish Harvesting Area

Shellfish Area 2-Digit # & Name: 48 Lower Tampa Bay

Map Number(s): 48

County(s): Manatee, Hillsborough

Brief description of extents: All waters of Tampa Bay southeast of a line from ICWW marker 63 to Port Manatee channel marker 5, south of Port Manatee, and north of Mead Point. The area includes includes Bishop Harbor, Miguel Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, the western portion of the Manatee River, and Perico Bayou.

Types of shellfish present: Clam, Oyster

Current classification effective on: September 28, 2004

Description of Management for Closures and Acres:

4802 Lower Tampa Bay conditionally approved: Closed when three-day cumulative rainfall measured at the City of Palmetto Wastewater Treatment Plant exceeds 3.47 inches. 23,457 acres.

Lower Tampa Bay prohibited: 8,784 acres.