All of Three Mile Harbor, including its inlet and tributaries, will be closed to shellfishing from sunrise on Saturday through July 17 out of concern for public health related to the Clamshell Foundation's annual Great Bonac fireworks show, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Marine Resources announced Monday.
The show is scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m. with a rain date the following day. The D.E.C. said Monday the event is "associated with increased boating activity." Boaters flock to the harbor to find prime positions for viewing the display.
"This closure is put in place during this popular event to protect public health from potentially contaminated shellfish," the D.E.C. said in a statement. "Boaters are reminded to use pump-out facilities to help protect New York's waters."
All of the normally certified shellfishing areas in Three Mile Harbor will be impacted, the D.E.C. said. The closure also applies to the entrance channel into the harbor.
Shellfish harvesting is expected to resume on July 18. If the fireworks show is canceled or postponed due to rain, the D.E.C. said it may reopen the area to shellfishing earlier than July 18.