The sanitary quality of a shellfish-growing area in Gangjinman, Korea, was assessed through a bacteriological examination of seawater form January 2007 to December 2009. The range of the geometric mean (GM) and the estimated 90th percentile for most-probable-number (MPN) values for fecal coliforms in samples collected in the designated area were 2.0-2.4 and 6.1-11.5 MPN/100 mL, respectively. Therefore, the bacteriological quality of seawater in the designated area in the Gangjinman area met the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP, USA) guidelines for approved areas. Also, the sanitary status of shellfish harvested from the designated area met the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP) fecal coliform criterion (<230 MPN/100 g). However, the degree of bacteriological contamination increased rapidly, and water quality exceeded the criteria for approved areas when large amounts of rain fell before the sampling date. Fortunately, fecal pollutants did not affect the bacteriological quality of a buffer zone established between the shoreline and the designated area. These results indicate that the current buffer zone established around the designated area protects the designated area properly.