DEC Temporarily Closes Shellfishing Areas in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last Thursday it has designated particular shellfish harvesting areas in Nassau and Suffolk counties as temporarily closed to shellfishing. These temporary emergency closures are in response to the extraordinary volume of storm water runoff caused by heavy rainfall that affected Long Island last week.

The following areas have been designated as uncertified effective Sept. 8, and the harvest of shellfish is temporarily prohibited through Sept. 15.

Town of North Hempstead: All of Hempstead Harbor.

Town of Oyster Bay (north shore): All of Hempstead Harbor, all of Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor lying south of a line from Plum Point (Centre Island) to the West Neck Beach pavilion (Lloyd Neck).

Town of Huntington: Cold Spring Harbor lying south of a line from Plum Point (Centre Island) to the West Neck Beach pavilion (Lloyd Neck).

Town of Shelter Island: All of Coecles Harbor, Dering Harbor and West Neck Creek, including tributaries.

Town of East Hampton: All of Three Mile Harbor, Accabonac Harbor, and Hog Creek, including tributaries.

This precautionary action was taken to protect public health following the prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall event that affected Long Island. Rainfall was measured in excess of 3 in. in all affected areas. The extraordinary volume of storm water runoff entering the creeks, coves and bays may cause shellfish in the affected areas to be hazardous for use as food.

DEC will reopen areas as soon as possible based on the results of bacteriological analyses of water samples that were collected last Friday and early this week.

Source: NY Department of Environmental Conservation