PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that the following shellfishing areas were reopened to harvesting at sunrise today: all approved waters of Potters Pond in South Kingstown and approved waters within the portion of Ninigret Pond in Charlestown known as Fort Neck Pond. The decision to re-open these Ponds is based upon the test results received yesterday from samples collected on Monday.
Waters of Winnapaug Pond in Westerly, west of a line from the dock at the western end of Harbor Drive to the eastern most corner of the Water Wizz slide tower remain closed until further notice due to unacceptable water quality resulting Hurricane Sandy. Previously announced shellfishing closures remain in effect for all conditionally-approved waters of the Conimicut Triangle, Conditional Area A, Greenwich Bay, Mount Hope Bay, and Kickemuit River. Absent additional rain or sewage by-passes, the conditional areas are scheduled to re-open at sunrise on Thursday, November 8.
All aquaculturists in areas where emergency shellfish closures have been enacted will be allowed access to their leases to conduct necessary maintenance/retrieval of their equipment. All other activities on the aquaculture lease, including but not limited to the harvest of shellfish, will remain prohibited until the water quality is acceptable to allow for harvest. Aquaculturists that intend to conduct maintenance and/or retrieval of their equipment under this emergency authorization are required to notify Dave Beutel, CRMC's Aquaculture Coordinator by leaving a message at 783-3370.
DEM maintains a recorded telephone information line, 222-2900, with the most updated information on shellfish closures.