Menemsha Pond Reopens

Menemsha Pond and Nashaquitsa Pond in Chilmark were reopened to shellfishing yesterday by the state Division of Marine Fisheries. The ponds were closed by the state following the July 12 massive fire at the U.S. Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha due to debris and oil in the water. The Chilmark town hall and shellfish constable were notified yesterday by the state that the ponds would reopen to shellfishing at dawn.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Coast Guard, state police, state fire marshal and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.