The state Department of Environmental Protection imposed the ban Aug. 19 on 130 square miles of shellfish beds. Two people became sick from eating oysters at a Maryland restaurant that had been taken in the area.

Darlene Yuhas, a spokeswoman for the DEP, said Friday that tissue samples had been taken from oysters and found to be acceptable, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported.

"We're glad to be back to work,'' said Barney Hollinger of Port Norris, a shell fisherman and chairman of the Delaware Bay Shellfish Council.

The oyster-related illness was diagnosed as infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium that can cause stomach problems, headaches and blood infections.