06-04-2009, 11:10 AM
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announces that shellfish harvesting in certain areas in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County, has been expanded due to the detection of a marine biotoxin that can adversely affect public health.
This expanded closure, effective immediately, adds approximately 5,200 acres to the 2,200-acre closure that DEC implemented on May 27. It covers all the shellfishing lands in Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Centerport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor, Lloyd Harbor and Coast Guard Cove that lie south of a line extending from the northernmost point of Lloyd Point to the northernmost point of Eatons Neck Point. A map of the closed area will be posted at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35917.html
The closed areas produce to clams, mussels and oysters that are taken by both commercial and recreational harvesters. All shellfishing in these areas is prohibited until further notice.
The action was taken after DEC determined that shellfish samples collected on June 1, from both Huntington Bay and Northport Bay, tested positive for saxitoxin, a marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The samples were tested as part of DEC's marine biotoxin monitoring program. In 2006, DEC implemented New York's first-ever closure of shellfish lands due to the detection of biotoxins in shellfish in Northport Harbor; a similar closure was also necessary in 2008.
DEC will re-open areas as soon as possible based on the results of laboratory analyses of shellfish and water samples that will be collected over the next few weeks. A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of these shellfish areas may be heard by calling (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closure.
For additional information about DEC's shellfish monitoring program, contact DEC staff at (631) 444-0475 or go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/345.html on DEC's website.
Media Contact
Renee Goodbee, rgoodbe@gw.dec.state.ny.us
This expanded closure, effective immediately, adds approximately 5,200 acres to the 2,200-acre closure that DEC implemented on May 27. It covers all the shellfishing lands in Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Centerport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor, Lloyd Harbor and Coast Guard Cove that lie south of a line extending from the northernmost point of Lloyd Point to the northernmost point of Eatons Neck Point. A map of the closed area will be posted at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35917.html
The closed areas produce to clams, mussels and oysters that are taken by both commercial and recreational harvesters. All shellfishing in these areas is prohibited until further notice.
The action was taken after DEC determined that shellfish samples collected on June 1, from both Huntington Bay and Northport Bay, tested positive for saxitoxin, a marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The samples were tested as part of DEC's marine biotoxin monitoring program. In 2006, DEC implemented New York's first-ever closure of shellfish lands due to the detection of biotoxins in shellfish in Northport Harbor; a similar closure was also necessary in 2008.
DEC will re-open areas as soon as possible based on the results of laboratory analyses of shellfish and water samples that will be collected over the next few weeks. A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of these shellfish areas may be heard by calling (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closure.
For additional information about DEC's shellfish monitoring program, contact DEC staff at (631) 444-0475 or go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/345.html on DEC's website.
Media Contact
Renee Goodbee, rgoodbe@gw.dec.state.ny.us