DEC Announces Shellfishing Closure Effective Monday

Though fishing the nearly the last thing on most people's minds at this point, the the Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that shellfishing will be closed starting Monday through the following Monday, Sept. 5.

Stating that runoff bacteria from intense rains is likely to pollute local waters, the DEC said bacteria tests will be taken next week to determine if the waters can be re-opened sooner.

According to the DEC, "heavy rains combined with the hurricane’s storm surge and a new moon lunar phase will bring an increased risk of coastal flooding that may inundate low-lying septic systems and cause stormwater and wastewater treatment systems to be overwhelmed. When water quality in the creeks, coves, harbors and bays becomes adversely impacted, shellfish in the affected areas may be hazardous for use as food."

The temporary shellfish closure applies to the following areas:.

• Town of Riverhead: All that area of Flanders Bay.
• Town of Southampton: All that area of Flanders Bay, Great Peconic Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Noyack Bay, Shelter Island Sound, Moriches Bay, Quantuck Bay, Quantuck Canal and Shinnecock Bay and all the creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of Southampton.
• Town of Southold: All that area of Great Peconic Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Southold Bay, Cutchogue Harbor, Pipes Cove, Orient Harbor, Hallock (Long Beach) Bay, Shelter Island Sound, Fishers Island and all the creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of Southold.
• Town of Shelter Island: All that area of Shelter Island Sound, Coecles Harbor, Dering Harbor, West Neck Harbor, Northwest Harbor and all the creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of Shelter Island.
• Town of East Hampton: All that area of Northwest Harbor, Three Mile Harbor, Accabonac Harbor, Napeague Bay, Napeague Harbor, Lake Montauk and all the creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of East Hampton.