PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), will hold an informational meeting tomorrow to review the recent emergency shellfishing closure for Rhode Island waters and plans for continued monitoring.
WHERE: Corliss Auditorium University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography 215 South Ferry Road Narragansett, RI 02882
WHEN: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 | 5:00 p.m.
On Saturday, October 15, the precautionary shellfish harvesting closure for Narragansett Bay, Mt. Hope Bay, Kickemuit River, Sakonnet River and their tributaries was lifted. The week-long emergency closure was due to a confirmed harmful algae bloom caused by the presence of toxic phytoplankton, Pseudo-nitzschia spp. During the emergency closure, DEM and RIDOH analyzed water and shellfish samples for the presence of the toxin, domoic acid. All shellfish samples collected throughout the Bay tested negative, allowing the waters to be reopened. At tomorrow's meeting, DEM and RIDOH will review the actions taken during the closure as well as their plans for continued monitoring of impacted waters.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.