BEAFOURT, S.C. (WSAV) — South Carolina's 2024-2025 shellfish harvesting season will come to a close on Wednesday.

The season is closed when summer weather kicks in due to bacteria, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus are bacteria that naturally live in coastal waters, but higher levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The bacteria can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and fever if consumed.

Raw or undercook oysters are often a way to contract Vibrio, the CDC reports.

Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until the fall, when water temperatures begin to cool and ensure that shellfish are once again safe for harvesting and consumption, officials said.

Shellfish har

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