DEC: Harvesting of Shellfish, Carnivorous Gastropods Temporarily Closed in Parts of Southampton

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced on Thursday that the harvesting of shellfish and carnivorous gastropods (whelks, conchs, moon snails) in certain areas in the Town of Southampton has been temporarily closed.

The closure is due to the detection of a marine biotoxin in the area. All harvesting of shellfish and carnivorous gastropods in these lands is prohibited until further notice.

The closure impacts 3,900 acres in the Town of Southampton, covering all the underwater lands in Shinnecock Bay that lie west of the southbound lanes of the Ponquogue Bridge and east of the western side of the Post Lane Bridge in Quogue.

The DEC enacted the closure after they determined that shellfish collected from monitoring sites in Weesuck Creek in Southampton 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.

Carnivorous gastropods feed on shellfish and may accumulate biotoxins at levels that are hazardous to human health.

DEC will continue to monitor for the presence of biotoxins in shellfish at 13 monitoring locations around Long Island and implement closures as necessary to protect public health.

DEC will re-open areas as soon as possible based on the results of laboratory analyses that will be conducted over the next few weeks.

A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of temporarily closed shellfish areas may be heard by calling 631-444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closure.

More on Patch:

• Teen Fatally Struck by SUV in Miller Place
• Massapequa Florist Gives Out 2,000 Blue Ribbons to Honor Brian Moore
• Southold Resident Receives First Emmy Award
• Customer at Lindenhurst Popeyes Robbed by Group of Men
• Brooklyn Man, Queens Woman Fatally Struck by Cop Car on NJ Turnpike
• May 6-Suffolk Arrest Report
• East Northport Elementary Student by Day, 8-Year-Old Fashion Designer by Night
• Man Struck, Killed by Train in Baldwin
• Huntington Station Resident Earns SUNY’s Highest Faculty Award