Western side of Bristol Harbor reopened for shell fishers

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — The western side of the Bristol Harbor is now re-open to shell-fishing.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management made the announcement over the weekend.

The 458-acre portion of the harbor has been closed since March 9, following a sewage spill two days before.

DEM reports 18,000 gallons of untreated wastewater got into the harbor following intense rainfall.

Water samples collected on March 13, and shellfish samples collected on March 19, met the Food and Drug Administration’s standards.

The water has been deemed safe once again for shellfish harvest.