Government Briefs 07.02.15

New York State

Taking Shellfish

The Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the reopening of approximately 4,000 acres of shellfish habitat in the Towns of Southampton, Riverhead, and Southold that were closed to the harvest of carnivorous gastropods — whelks, conchs, moon snails — due to the presence of marine biotoxins in shellfish.

Effective yesterday, the biotoxin closures were rescinded in all shellfish  areas in western Shinnecock Bay in Southampton and the uncertified Terry and Meetinghouse Creeks in Riverhead and James Creek in Southold.

The areas had been closed in May after the D.E.C.’s Bureau of Marine Resources detected saxitoxin in mussels collected from sites being monitored in each area. Saxitoxin is a naturally occurring marine biotoxin found in dinoflagellates that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which can be fatal in humans.

The D.E.C.’s website has information and maps of affected areas. A recorded message advising shellfish harvesters of the status of temporary shellfish closures can also be heard by calling 444-0480.