DEM ANNOUNCES ANNUAL RECLASSIFICATION OF SHELLFISH WATERS,
SEASONAL CLOSURES IN EFFECT THIS WEEKEND
PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced the reclassification of several areas of the state's shellfish harvesting waters. Areas in Sakonnet Harbor, Kickemuit River, and the East Passage have been reclassified based on water quality monitoring results. The changes take effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 28 – along with seasonal shellfish closures.
"Having clean bays, rivers, and coastal waters is vital to our state and our families,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Digging for clams and other shellfish is a favorite pastime for Rhode Islanders and it also support the livelihoods of our commercial shellfishermen. I am proud of the work our team and many partners are doing to ensure the vibrancy of our waters so we can continue to offer excellent shellfishing opportunities.”
Rhode Island has a diverse and dynamic commercial fishing and seafood industry. Steeped in tradition, the industry continues to thrive due to the health and abundance of local favorites such as quahogs and littlenecks. Last year, nearly 100 million pounds of seafood arrived to a Rhode Island port – with an ex-vessel value over $75 million and an export value of more than $1 billion. Some 28 million shellfish were harvested from Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island coastal waters.
As a result of improved water quality conditions, Sakonnet Harbor in Little Compton will open for shellfish harvesting on a seasonal basis this fall. It was previously closed year-round. This area is defined as south of a line from the light at the end of the Sakonnet breakwater to a point of land near the end of Goodrich Lane on the eastern shore of the Harbor.
No changes in shellfish classification will go into effect this year for Upper Narragansett Bay; however, monitoring following rain events allowed the Conimicut Triangle area to be opened an additional 11 days and Area A, 13 days in 2015. The lower portion of the Providence River is showing promise and may be reopened conditionally to shellfishing in future years; before this can happen, shellfish management plans must be developed to ensure long term viability of the shellfish stock in the area.
Despite the overall positive results from this year’s assessments, new closures will be put into effect for a few areas around the Bay. The Kickemuit River in Bristol and Warren will continue to be operated as a conditionally-approved area. It will be closed to shellfish harvesting for a minimum of seven days after 0.5 inches or more of rainfall/precipitation. It will also be closed to shellfish harvesting during the month of January due to elevated bacteria levels.
Also, nearly five acres in East Passage Cranston Cove in Jamestown will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to elevated bacteria levels. The area was previously open and is defined as East Passage GA6-5: the waters of Cranston Cove on the eastern shoreline in Jamestown, south and west of a line from the most southeastern in water structure of CRMC dock 771 (located offshore of 530 East Shore Road) to the most northeastern in water structure of CRMC dock 1924 (located offshore of 486 East Shore Road). The closure includes all waters bounded by said docks to the north and south.
Seasonal Shellfish Closures Effective at Sunrise on Saturday, May 28
Consistent with U.S. Food and Drug Agency requirements, DEM closes certain areas seasonally to the harvesting of shellfish every year due to potential water quality impacts associated with marinas and mooring fields. The closures take effect this Saturday and will expire at sunrise on Tuesday, October 11.
These areas include: Block Island (Great Salt Pond and Trims Pond), Bristol Harbor, Jamestown (Dutch Harbor area), Potter Cove (Prudence Island), Sakonnet Harbor (Little Compton), and Wickford Harbor (Fishing Cove). In addition, the smaller marina closures in the south coastal ponds and the Kickemuit River will go into effect at this time.
A new interactive mapping portal is now available to view shellfish area maps online. For more information about shellfish classifications and the legal descriptions of all shellfish closures, visit www.dem.ri.gov. DEM maintains a 24-hour shellfishing hotline, providing information on emergency and conditional area shellfish closures: 401-222-2900.
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
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