State Closes Shellfishing After Heavy Rain
New York State has temporarily halted shellfishing in many Long Island waterways following heavy rain on Thursday. Excessive stormwater runoff can contaminate shellfish, making it hazardous for use as food.
Clamming and the harvesting of other shellfish has been prohibited in portions of East Hampton, Southold, Southampton, Huntington, Babylon, and Islip. James J. Gilmore, the chief of the Department of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Marine Resources, issued the ban Friday morning, citing runoff from rainfall that exceeded three inches in some locations. According the National Weather Service, 3.83 inches of rain fell at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.
Shellfishing in East Hampton Town was declared uncertified in Three Mile Harbor, Hog Creek, and Accabonac Harbor. Napeague Harbor and Lake Montauk were unaffected by the state order.
In Southampton Town Noyac Creek, the Sag Harbor coves, and Shinnecock Bay west of the Ponquogue Bridge were declared no-harvest zones.
All of Southold's waters west of Conkling Point and all of Cutchogue Harbor and its tributaries lying north of a line extending northeast from New Suffolk Point to the northernmost point of land at Horseshoe Cove have been closed.
All areas on the south shore of Nassau County in the Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay were closed on Thursday.
Notice of reopenings of the various waterways will be provided on the D.E.C. website and its shellfish closure information line: 631-444-0480.