Waters in Newport, Westerly reopened to shellfishing
By The Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Two areas in Rhode Island waters are being reopened to shellfish harvesting.
The state Department of Environmental Management says the waters reopen Saturday at sunrise.
DEM Director Janet Coit says the changes are a result of improved water quality.
DEM says a closure in the Newport Harbor has been reduced by 227 acres, freeing up shellfishing area.
Meanwhile, the small cove at the western end of Quonochontaug Pond in Westerly is now open. DEM says the entire pond is now approved for shellfishing.
Seasonal shellfish closures also go into effect Saturday. The affected areas include Great Salt Pond and Trims Pond on Block Island; Bristol Harbor; the Dutch Harbor area of Jamestown; Potter Cove on Prudence Island and Fishing Cove on Wickford Harbor.
© The Associated Press / WLNE-TV 2015
