Rhode Island Shellfishing Area Opens For 1st Time In More Than 50 Years

PORTSMOUTH, RI — A 462-acre shellfishing area off Rhode Island is opening for the first time in more than 50 years.

The area along the Portsmouth shoreline just south of the Mt. Hope Bridge "has met water quality and shellfish sanitation criteria and will be upgraded from prohibited to approved for harvest" Saturday, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said in a media release.

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The area has been closed to shellfishing since 1975, according to the release.

"Improvements in wastewater management from infrastructure investments have resulted in lower bacteria levels in the area," the release said.

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While the area along the Portsmouth shoreline opens Saturday, seasonal shellfish area closures will also take effect at sunrise that day and remain in place until Tuesday, October 13, according to the release.

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"These annual closures are implemented in accordance with federal regulations due to potential water quality impacts from marinas and mooring fields," the release said.

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The seasonal closure areas are within:

• Bristol Harbor
• Dutch Harbor Area, Jamestown
• Fishing Cove, Wickford Harbor
• Great Salt Pond and Trims Pond, Block Island
• Potter Cove, Prudence Island
• Sakonnet Harbor, Little Compton

"Small seasonal marina closures in the southern coastal ponds, Fort Wetherill, and the Kickemuit River in Warren will also go into effect" Saturday, according to the release.

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