Shellfishing Newsletter

Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program

Every spring DEC resumes its Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program across Long Island to identify where potential Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) may be occurring.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are secured in mesh bags and deployed into local waterways. With cooperation from several Suffolk County towns and some private marinas, eight shoreside and five buoy monitoring stations have been established. While the mussels are present at monitoring stations, they feed on phytoplankton, and if HABs exist in the water, the mussels may accumulate toxins. If toxin levels exceed federal standards, shellfish harvesting will be prohibited in the affected areas to protect the health of shellfish consumers.

Mussels are collected and tested weekly to determine if toxins reach unacceptable levels. Plankton samples are also collected at each station and examined for the types of algae that may produce this toxin.

Weekly monitoring continues through mid-June or until water temperatures warm and the potential for blooms of specific harmful algae dissipates. The dinoflagellate (algae), Alexandrium fundyense, produces the toxin we are testing for and prefers cooler water temperatures. As the water warms up, Alexandrium becomes dormant and falls to the sea floor. The cycle will repeat next year when they emerge again as free-swimming dinoflagellates in late winter/early spring.

To learn more visit the Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program webpage. 

Conditional Harvesting Area Closures

During the colder weather months, typically December through April, eligible shellfish harvest areas that are regularly closed for shellfishing are temporarily opened under our Conditional Shellfish Harvesting Program to provide additional shellfish harvesting opportunities.

Under certain environmental conditions, the water quality in these areas improves to the point where normally uncertified waters or ‘closed’ areas meet the sanitary standards for certified shellfishing areas. Conditional areas are monitored in cooperation with the local towns and before harvesting, it is the responsibility of each harvester to contact town personnel to determine the status of the area.

A summary of the 2018-2019 conditional harvest areas is below:

For more information, visit Conditional Shellfish Harvesting Program.

Shade and Ice Your Shellfish Starting May 1st 

There are numerous types of good and bad bacteria that can naturally be found in our marine waters. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is one of the many varieties of bacteria found in coastal waters where oysters, hard clams, and other shellfish can be found. Vp thrives in warmer water and becomes a concern during the summer months.

DEC implements control measures from May 1 - October 31, when bacteria are more likely to grow rapidly due to warmer conditions. The control measures are intended to reduce the potential for postharvest growth of Vp and reduce risk of Vp illness to shellfish consumers.

For more information about safely handling shellfish, visit the Vibrio Control Plan. 

Shellfish Public Mapper

Try our easy to use NYSDEC Public Shellfish Mapper to better understand shellfish harvesting areas that are currently open and closed! This interactive map shows regulatory closures, temporary closures, conditional harvesting programs, shellfish harvest zones, aquaculture lease sites, and water sampling stations.

If you are browsing this website on your phone while out in the field and you have your location service turned on, the site will show where you are in relation to the closures. Remember, this map is for reference only and you must review our official regulations page for the legal descriptions of the closures.

Before going shellfishing, check with your local town to acquire a recreational permit, and review the Shellfish Harvest Limits on our website. 

Visit our website to learn more about Shellfishing in New York!