Shellfishing Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 10/01/2019 11:53 AM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Shellfishing Newsletter

Governor Cuomo Announces Restoration of Critical Marine Habitat

Governor Cuomo and partners at event to release thousands of shellfish in NYC waterways. On September 14, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos participated in releasing thousands of juvenile shellfish in New York City's Hudson River Park. 

The Governor announced $2.8 million in funding to restore marine habitat in the New York Harbor to support Hudson River Park's Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan, expand the Soundview Park oyster reef in the Bronx River, and enhance the state's extensive shellfish restoration initiative.

A consortium of partners are working in cooperation with DEC, including The New York Harbor Foundation, New York Harbor School, the Billion Oyster Project, the Hudson River Foundation, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Rocking the Boat, NYC Parks, and Bronx River Alliance.

Learn more about New York's nation-leading initiative to restore aquatic habitat in the Governor's Announcement. 

2020 Atlantic Ocean Surfclam Annual Harvest Limit

DEC is accepting comments on the proposal to establish the 2020 annual harvest limit for surfclams taken by mechanical means from the certified waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The
proposed annual harvest limit is 184,558 industry-standard bushels and would maintain the level of harvest that was established from 2016 to 2019.

Bushel of surfclams in basketComments on the proposal are due by Friday, November 1. For more information, view the Notice of Proposed 2020 Atlantic Ocean Surfclam Annual Harvest Limit (PDF).

Send comments on this proposal to:
NYSDEC Marine Resources
Attn: Jennifer O’Dwyer
205 N. Belle Mead Road, Ste.1
East Setauket, NY 11733
Email: jennifer.odwyer@dec.ny.gov
Fax: (631) 444-0496

Seasonally Certified Shellfish Harvest Areas 

DEC implements seasonal closures of shellfish harvest areas in many embayments during the warm, summer months when bacteria levels are often higher under favorable growing conditions. As cooler temperatures set in and human activity on the water decreases, DEC is able to seasonally reopen these seasonal harvest areas that show improved water quality. 

Before going shellfishing, check out the NYSDEC Public Shellfish Mapper to better understand where shellfish harvesting areas are currently open and closed! This interactive map shows all areas that will be seasonally open in the coming months.

Please note: When viewing this website on your mobile device while out in the field, make sure you have your location service turned on, and the site will show where you are in relation to harvest areas. This map is for reference only and you must review our official regulations page for the legal descriptions of the closures. You must also check with your local town to acquire a recreational permit and review the Shellfish Harvest Limits on our website.