Shellfish beds remain closed until testing completed

All shellfish beds in the state, closed since Hurricane Sandy, will remain closed until water testing for contaminants is complete, David Carey, director of aquaculture at the state Department of Agriculture, said today.

The closure means scallop season in the Niantic River, which was scheduled to open Nov. 15, will be delayed by two to three weeks, J. Patrick Kelly, co-chairman of the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission said.

The closure also affects clam, mussel and oyster beds in the Niantic River, as well as in Groton and Stonington.

Carey said depending on when testing is done, some beds in the central and western part of the Long Island Sound coast could begin reopening by early next week. The Groton beds could reopen by mid-week, he said.

For information, check with the shellfish hotlines in each town: East Lyme-Waterford: (860) 739-6233; Groton: (860) 441-6793; Stonington: (860) 599-7575.