DEC Reopens Shellfishing Areas in Southold

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that they have reopened several shellfishing areas that were shut down last week.

The Bureau of Marine Resources tested water samples from the affected areas which found that the water quality in the reopened areas meet the standards for certified (open) harvesting areas.

Last Thursday, several areas on Long Island, including in the Town of Southold, were closed following the heavy rain and excessive stormwater runoff that affected the areas.

Rainfall in all the affected areas exceeded three inches, with some areas receiving well over four inches.

DEC temporarily closes shellfishing areas to protect the public health.

Stormwater runoff caused by heavy rainfall carries bacteria and other pathogens into adjacent surface waters.

When water quality in the enclosed creeks, coves, harbors and bays is adversely affected by extraordinary amounts of runoff, shellfish in those areas have an increased potential to be hazardous for use as food.

The following areas have been reopened to shellfish harvesting as of Wednesday, September 16:

Town of Southold: All the normally certified areas in the creeks, coves and harbors lying east of New Suffolk Point, including the normally certified areas in Cutchogue Harbor and its tributaries.

The following areas will reopen to shellfish harvesting at sunrise on Thursday, September 17:

Town of Southold: All the normally certified areas in the creeks and coves lying west of New Suffolk Point.