DEC Temporarily Closes Shellfishing Areas in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Written by Long Island News & PR | 30. October 2017

Long Island, NY - October 30, 2017 - Shellfish harvesting areas in several towns in Nassau and Suffolk Counties have been designated as uncertified (closed) for shellfish harvesting, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.

These temporary closures have been implemented due to the heavy rainfall and storm-water runoff that occurred in the wake of this past weekend's rainfall, which saw some areas receiving in excess of 3 to 4 inches.

Effective immediately on Monday, Oct. 30 and continuing until a determination is made that conditions no longer exist that may make shellfish hazardous for use as food, the following areas in Suffolk County are designated as uncertified and the harvest of shellfish is temporarily prohibited:

Town of North Hempstead: All of Hempstead Harbor lying south of a line extending northeasterly from Prospect Point to Matinecock Point.
Town of Oyster Bay (north shore): All of Oyster Bay Harbor and all of Cold Spring Harbor south of a line extending east from the stone house on Plum Point (Centre Island) to the northerly side of the beach pavilion at West Neck Beach (Town of Huntington) on the eastern shore of Cold Spring Harbor.
Towns of Babylon and Islip: All normally certified areas of Great South Bay and its tributaries east of a line extending southerly, from the southernmost tip of Bergen Point (Babylon) to the eastern side of the boat basin at the Town of Babylon's Cedar Beach Marina on the barrier island (Jones Island).
Towns of Islip and Brookhaven (south shore): All of northern Great South Bay, including Nicoll Bay and Patchogue Bay, north of a line extending easterly from the southern base of the northbound span of the Robert Moses Causeway (north side of Captree Island) to Buoy R "6" Fl R 4s (West Channel) to Buoy R "4" Fl R 2.5s (south of Nicoll Point) to Buoy GR "EN" Fl (2+1) G 6s (Nicoll Bay) to Buoy R N "30" (south of Green Point) through Buoys R N "32", R "34" FL R 2.5s and G "35" Fl G 4s (south of Blue Point) to Buoy R A36" Fl R 6s (south of Swan River) to Buoy G C A37" to Buoy G "1" Fl G 2.5s (south of Howells Point) thence proceeding southeasterly from buoy G "1" Fl G 2.5s to the flag tower at Bellport Beach (located on the barrier beach, Fire Island).
Town of Brookhaven (south shore): All of Bellport Bay east of a line extending southerly from Howells Point through Buoy G "1" Fl G 2.5s, thence proceeding southeasterly to the flag tower at Bellport Beach; AND, all of Moriches Bay and its tributaries.
Town of Brookhaven (north shore): All of Stony Brook Harbor, Flax Pond, Port Jefferson Harbor and Mount Sinai Harbor.
Town of Huntington: All of Northport Bay, Duck Island Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Lloyd Harbor; and, all that area of Huntington Bay south of a line extending easterly from the southernmost point of East Beach (at the north side of the mouth of Lloyd Harbor) to the southernmost point of West Beach (the southern tip of Sand City beach); AND, all that area of Cold Spring Harbor, lying southerly of a line extending east from the stone house on Plum Point (Centre Island) to the northerly side of the beach pavilion at the Town of Huntington West Neck Beach on the eastern shore of Cold Spring Harbor.
Town of Smithtown: All of Stony Brook Harbor and its tributaries.
Towns of Riverhead and Southampton: All of Flanders Bay and its tributaries west of a line extending southwesterly from Miamogue Point to the northernmost point of Red Cedar Point.
Town of Southampton: All town underwater lands in the creeks, coves and harbors within the Town of Southampton located between Red Cedar Point and North Haven Peninsula (including, Red Creek Pond, Squire Pond, Cold Spring Pond, North Sea Harbor and Noyac Creek); and, all that area of Moriches Bay, Quantuck Bay, Quantuck Canal and Shinnecock Bay and their tributaries.
Town of Southold: All of Orient Harbor, Hallock Bay and their tributaries north and east of a line extending westerly from the Bug Light (lighthouse at Long Beach Point) to the wooden jetty at the northern side of the mouth of Spring Pond (East Marion).

DEC will re-open areas as soon as possible based on the results of water quality testing to be conducted on samples that will be collected from the affected areas over the next several days.

A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of these shellfish areas may be heard at (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closures. For more detailed descriptions of the closed areas, please call the office during normal business hours at (631) 444-0492. Additionally, information about temporary shellfish closures will be available on DEC's website.