Shellfish Area Updates

Recent Changes to Shellfish Area Descriptions

Emergency: Many years of monitoring data show that water quality is degraded by stormwater runoff following a rainfall event of more than three inches. Emergency closures are needed following such events to protect shellfish consumers. During emergency closures, an initial status message will be recorded by 10:00 A.M. and can be heard by calling (631) 444-0480. Subsequent updates about reopenings will be posted by 2:00 P.M. Excessive rainfall events often happen with little or no notice. Notification of emergency closures and re-openings occur too quickly to be posted to this site. If you suspect that the harvest area that you work in has been affected by 3 or more inches of rain within the last 48 hours, please refrain from harvesting until you have determined that your harvest area is not listed on the recorded message. Additional information on emergency closures can be obtained from DEC shellfisheries staff by calling (631) 444-0475 during normal business hours.

Regulatory: When annual water quality data analyses show that the sanitary condition in a harvesting area has changed significantly, a change in the classification of that harvesting area is required. Regulatory changes can be either upgrades (to open year-round or open seasonally) or downgrades (to closed seasonally or closed year-round). All recent regulatory changes can be found by following the links above.

Mooring Area: Prior to, during, and following the Fourth of July and Labor Day Holidays, many boaters moor overnight in several popular water bodies. Additionally, special events often draw large crowds by boat to certain water bodies. Due to the possibility that boaters may occasionally discharge waste overboard, those water bodies and the surrounding areas are closed to shellfish harvesting while the boats are present and for several days afterwards.