Sengekontacket Pond is closed to shellfishing until at least Monday, July 20. Under a seasonal agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), shellfish wardens are required to close the pond to shellfishing following periods of heavy rainfall.
Edgartown shellfish constable Paul Bagnall told The Times Wednesday morning that heavy rainfall in the previous 24 hours triggered the state mandated closure.
Heavy rains tend to wash pollution into the ponds from the roadways and the surrounding watershed, which may make shellfish unsafe to eat.
In each case, the pond must remain closed to shellfishing for a minimum of five days.
Red flags posted at Little Bridge on the Oak Bluffs side of the pond and Big Bridge on the Edgartown side signal a pond closure.
