Rhode Island Shellfish Areas Reopen As Emergency Closures Lifted

Shellfish areas closed following a sewage discharge event have reopened, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

The closure of the Lower Providence River conditional shellfish area has ended and will reopen to commercial shellfish harvest at 7 a.m. Monday, the department said in a media release.

The emergency closure of the Mount Hope Bay shellfish growing area also ended and reopened to shellfish harvest Friday, according to RIDOH.

"Following the sewage discharge event, RIDOH had advised the public to avoid all direct contact with the water in Watchemoket Cove," the release said.

"While there are no licensed, swimmable beaches in this area, RIDOH is no longer recommending that people avoid all direct contact with the water in this area," according to the release.

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