DEC Temporarily Closes Shellfishing Areas in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 10/30/2017 02:30 PM EDT
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Closures Caused By Widespread Heavy Rainfall

Shellfish harvesting areas in several towns in Nassau and Suffolk Counties have been designated as uncertified (closed) for shellfish harvesting effective immediately, October 30, and continuing until a determination is made that conditions no longer exist that may make shellfish hazardous for use as food.

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.

The following areas are designated as uncertified and the harvest of shellfish is temporarily prohibited:

Nassau County

  • Town of North Hempstead: All that area of Hempstead Harbor lying southerly 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 lying southerly of a line extending easterly 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.

Suffolk County

  • Towns of Islip and Brookhaven (south shore): All that area of northern Great South Bay, including Nicoll Bay and Patchogue Bay, lying northerly 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 36" Fl R 6s (south of Swan River) to Buoy G C 37" 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 that area of Bellport Bay lying easterly 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 lying southerly 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 easterly 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 that of Stony Brook Harbor and its tributaries.
  • Towns of Riverhead and Southampton: All that area of Flanders Bay and its tributaries lying westerly 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 that area of Orient Harbor, Hallock Bay and tributaries lying 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).astern shore of Cold Spring Harbor.

For the most up to date temporary emergency closure information, please call our hotline at (631) 444-0480. For any other questions, please call the main shellfish office at (631) 444-0492 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM until 4:45 PM.

Please visit Temporary Shellfish Closures for more information.