DEM closing shellfishing area off Prudence Island ahead of Aquapalooza

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said that it is closing 700 acres of shellfish grounds on the north end of Prudence Island in anticipation of Aquapalooza.

The DEM said that the closure is happening because the gathering of hundreds of boats for the event carries an increased risk of accidental and illicit discharge of sewage.

“The so-called Aquapalooza gathering — an unauthorized, social media-driven event whose organizers remain anonymous, and which is purposely scheduled on the summer’s busiest day on Narragansett Bay — is necessitating the precautionary closure,” the DEM said.

The closure is scheduled for between sunrise on July 29 and sunrise on Aug. 5.

The area off Prudence Island that will be closed to shellfishing. (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management)

“With so many boats concentrated in such a small area for hours, federal and state public health guidance requires that the shellfish harvest area, which includes all of Potter’s Cove, be closed to protect public health,” the department said.

It added that the closure lasts a week because it will provide sufficient volumes of water and time to dilute sewage.

“Closing shellfishing areas when warranted protects public health by ensuring that only quality, safe shellfish is harvested and enters the food system,” the DEM said.