Informational meeting on recent emergency shellfishing closure, ongoing monitoring for RI waters

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), will hold an informational meeting tomorrow to review the recent emergency shellfishing closure for Rhode Island waters and plans for continued monitoring.

On Saturday, October 15, the precautionary shellfish harvesting closure for Narragansett Bay, Mt. Hope Bay, Kickemuit River, Sakonnet River and their tributaries was lifted. The week-long emergency closure was due to a confirmed harmful algae bloom caused by the presence of toxic phytoplankton, Pseudo-nitzschia spp. During the emergency closure, DEM and RIDOH analyzed water and shellfish samples for the presence of the toxin, domoic acid. All shellfish samples collected throughout the Bay tested negative, allowing the waters to be reopened. At tomorrow’s meeting, DEM and RIDOH will review the actions taken during the closure as well as their plans for continued monitoring of impacted waters.

For updates on shellfish closure areas, contact the DEM 24-hour shellfishing hotline at 401-222-2900. For more information on DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

To learn more about the RI Shellfish Management Plan, please visit:  http://www.rismp.org/