MOBILE, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Public Health has closed all shellfish growing waters in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Areas I, II, III, IV and V are closed. This includes Cedar Point, Portersville Bay, Grand Bay, Heron Bay, Dauphin Island Bay and Bon Secour Bay. The ongoing relay project in Area V is not affected by the order.

The order by State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson closes harvesting as of 3 p.m. on March 16. The order is issued as a result of possible bacteriological contamination of the oyster beds due to recent rainfall.

The Alabama Department of Public Health will continue to monitor bay waters and the shellfish. Harvesting can be resumed as soon as areas meet acceptable bacteriological criteria.

For additional information concerning the closure, contact Jeff McCool, Alabama Department of Public Health, at (251) 432-7618 or (251) 331-0617.