PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces several changes to Greenwich Bay shellfishing regulations that take effect on Monday, December 11. The changes, which apply to harvesting quahogs by boat, are the product of a cooperative effort by DEM, industry, and the RI Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC).

One change opens the eastern portion of the bay on a permanent basis. That area, defined as east of a line between Sally Rock point and the westernmost flagpole on Promenade Street in Old Buttonwoods, was opened on a one-year trial basis in 2005, and has proven to be a sustainable fishery. As of December 11, shellfishing by boat is allowed daily in that area from sunrise to sunset.

Several changes apply to the western portion of Greenwich Bay, defined as the conditionally approved waters west of a line between Sally Rock point and the westernmost flagpole on Promenade Street in Old Buttonwoods. They establish an annual process by which the December fishing schedule is set for this area, provide for flexibility to replace scheduled days if lost due to weather events and the RIMFC to request of DEM such modifications, and set the fishing schedule for December 2006.

The western portion of Greenwich Bay will be open to shellfishing by boat, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to noon only on the following dates: Monday, December 11; Wednesday, December 13; Friday, December 15; Monday, December 18; Tuesday, December 19; Wednesday, December 20; Friday, December 22; Tuesday, December 26; Wednesday, December 27; and Friday, December 29.