DEC expands shellfishing closure in Huntington





	A map of the closed areas. Courtesy DEC (click for larger version)

June 05, 2009 | 11:55 AM
The state Department of Environmental Conservation on June 2 announced the expanded closure of shellfish harvesting areas around Huntington township due to the detection of a marine biotoxin that can adversely affect public health.

Maureen Wren, a state DEC spokeswoman, said the toxin levels are related to the prevalence of algae, though officials have yet to determine whether algae growth in the area has resulted from recent heavy rains.

The expanded closure, effective immediately, adds approximately 5,200 acres to the 2,200-acre closure that DEC implemented on May 27. It covers all the shellfishing lands in Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Centerport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor, Lloyd Harbor and Coast Guard Cove that lie south of a line extending from the northernmost point of Lloyd Point to the northernmost point of Eaton's Neck Point.

The closed areas produce to clams, mussels and oysters that are taken by both commercial and recreational harvesters. All shellfishing in these areas is prohibited until further notice.

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The action was taken after DEC determined that shellfish samples collected on June 1, from both Huntington Bay and Northport Bay, tested positive for saxitoxin, a marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The samples were tested as part of the DEC's marine biotoxin monitoring program. In 2006, the DEC implemented New York's first-ever closure of shellfish lands due to the detection of biotoxins in shellfish in Northport Harbor; a similar closure was also necessary last year.

DEC will reopen areas as soon as possible based on the results of laboratory analyses of shellfish and water samples that will be collected over the next few weeks.

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

For additional information about DEC's shellfish monitoring program, contact staff at 444-0475 or go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/345.html on DEC's website.

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