For Release: Monday, June 28, 2004

DEC Announces Temporary Closure of Three Shellfishing Areas

North Shore Areas To Be Closed Over Fourth of July Holiday, Expected to Reopen July 8th

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced the temporary closure of three shellfishing areas on the north shore of Long Island during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. She also reminded boaters to utilize pump out facilities to help protect these waters.

The closed sections include 50 acres in the area known as the Sand Hole in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County; 415 acres in a section of Port Jefferson Harbor in Brookhaven, Suffolk County; and 445 acres in a section of Oyster Bay, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County. DEC has designated these areas as temporarily uncertified for the harvest of shellfish from July 3rd through July 7th, which means that shellfish harvesting is prohibited until the DEC reopens them. All three areas are located on the north shore of Long Island.

"The temporary closure of these shellfishing areas is a precautionary measure to protect public health," Commissioner Crotty said. "The main concern is potential contamination of shellfishing areas from recreational boat discharges. We strongly encourage boaters to act responsibly, adhering to the no discharge zone in Port Jefferson Harbor and using pump out facilities to prevent impacts to our natural resources and associated health risks."

Since 1995, DEC has designated these areas as temporarily uncertified for the harvest of shellfish during the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays because of the increased potential for contamination of shellfish lands by the discharge of sewage from recreational boats during this peak summer holiday period. Discharges from a marine sanitation device (toilet) may contaminate nearby shellfish beds with pathogenic bacteria or viruses, rendering the shellfish hazardous for human consumption.

Boaters should be aware that Port Jefferson Harbor is designated a no discharge zone. Boaters in this harbor and the other two restricted areas should utilize the following pump out facilities:

Oyster Bay Harbor (West Harbor):
2 pump out boats operated by the Town of Oyster Bay at no fee to boaters. Contact the pump out boats via marine radio VHF channel 9. In addition, there are two land-based pump out stations: the Town of Oyster Bay Roosevelt Marina (no fee) and Oyster Bay Marine Center.

The Sand Hole - Although there are no facilities within the Sand Hole, boaters should contact Town of Oyster Bay pump out boats as noted above. There also is a land-based pump out facility at Powles Marine Center in Cold Spring Harbor. In addition, boaters traveling from Town of Huntington waters could request the services of the Town of Huntington pump out boat (no fee) by calling on marine radio VHF channel 9. There are also several land-based pump out facilities in Northport Harbor and Huntington Harbor.

Port Jefferson Harbor - The Town of Brookhaven operates a pump out boat (no fee) in Port Jefferson Harbor. Boaters may contact the pumpout boat via marine radio VHF channel 73. In addition, there are two land-based pump out facilities: the Town of Brookhaven Port Jefferson marina (no fee) and Danfords Marina ($15 fee).

Shellfish harvesting is expected to resume on Thursday, July 8. In cooperation with town bay constables and the State Police Aviation Unit, DEC plans to conduct observations of the three closed shellfishing areas and other overnight recreational anchoring areas to monitor the number of boats present. If poor weather causes fewer boaters to visit the areas, DEC may rescind the closure and reopen the areas to harvesting earlier than July 8th.

A taped message advising the public of any shellfishing areas in New York State that are temporarily closed is accessible 24 hours a day by calling (631) 444-0480. The taped message will also advise harvesters when such areas have reopened. Written descriptions and color-coded maps of these and other shellfish closures can be found on the DEC website. Additional information about shellfish harvesting also is available from DEC's Bureau of Marine Resources at (631) 444-0475, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

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