East Hampton fireworks display to close shellfish harvesting at Three Mile Harbor

Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton will be closed to shellfish harvesting for five days beginning Saturday as the town celebrates an annual fireworks event, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

In a news release Monday, the agency said harvesting will be prohibited from Saturday to July 24, because of increased boating activity in the waters.

“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 release said. “Boaters are reminded to utilize pump out facilities to help protect these waters.”

The agency has traditionally closed the harbor to shellfishing for about 20 years as the town stages an annual fireworks show, the release said. Discharges of material from marine toilets could contaminate nearby shellfish, creating a hazard to human consumption, the agency said.

The agency said the area is expected to reopen for the harvesting of shellfish on July 25.