DEC Announces Shellfishing Closure Ahead of Fireworks

Starting on Saturday, Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton will be temporarily closed to shellfish harvesting due to the upcoming fireworks show. 

The Great Bonac Fireworks Show 2013, presented by the Clamshell Foundation, are set for Saturday. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said on Monday that the closure will begin at sunrise that day and last through July 24 because of the increased potential for contamination of shellfish beds during the even that draws hundreds of boaters each year.             

"The closure is put in place annually during the busy festivities to protect public health from potentially contaminated shellfish associated with increased boating activity in shellfishing waters," the DEC said in a statement, adding that boaters are reminded to utilize pump out facilities to help protect these waters.