Fireworks show nixes E. Hampton shellfishing

As it has been for the past 19 years, Three Mile Harbor in the Town of East Hampton will be closed to shellfish harvesting Saturday for the 2012 Three Mile Harbor fireworks event and will remain closed for the four days afterward, said the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The annual temporary closing is done with an eye to public health, as the potential for shellfish contamination is increased by the weekend's uptick in boating activity and possible associated sewage discharge, the DEC said in a news release issued Friday.

Shellfish harvesting will be banned from sunrise Saturday, July 21, through Wednesday, July 25, the release said.

Boaters should take note that this is a "no-discharge" zone, the DEC said, and they can use "pump out" facilities in the Gardiners Bay area, call on the Town of East Hampton's "pump out" boat, and use the town harbormaster's self-serve facility.

Updates on this and other temporary shellfish harvest closings can be heard at the DEC's recorded-message hotline at 631-444-0480. See maps of shellfish closure areas at dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35917.html.