The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the temporary closure of two shellfish harvesting areas on the North Shore of Long Island during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period.
These closures are implemented during peak holidays to protect public health from potentially contaminated seafood due to increased shipping activity.
Boaters are reminded to use septic tank emptying facilities (pump stations) to help protect these waters.
Since 1995, DEC has designated these areas as temporarily non-certified for shellfish harvesting during the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays.
During peak holiday periods, discharges from marine sanitation systems (toilets) can contaminate nearby shellfish beds with pathogenic bacteria or viruses, rendering the shellfish unfit for human consumption.
DEC will designate the following areas of Long Island’s north shore as closed to shellfish harvesting, beginning at dawn on July 2 and continuing through July 8:
– 445 acres in a section of Oyster Bay Harbor, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County; and
– 261 acres in the northern part of Port Jefferson Harbor, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County.
Shellfish harvesting is expected to resume in these areas on July 9. If poor weather conditions reduce boater traffic to these areas, DEC could lift the closure and reopen them for harvesting sooner than planned.
A recorded message informing the public of temporary closures of any shellfish harvesting areas in New York State can be accessed 24 hours a day by calling (631) 444-0480.
The recorded message also informs collectors when these areas have reopened. On the DEC website (at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/shellfishing/temporary-closures) information is available, including maps showing affected areas.
Tank emptying facilities
Boaters should note that Oyster Bay Harbor and Port Jefferson Harbor are designated in their entirety as no-discharge zones.
A no-discharge zone is a designated body of water where the discharge of vessel wastewater, whether treated or untreated, is prohibited.
Boaters in these areas should use the following tank emptying facilities:
– Oyster Bay Harbor (West Harbor, Town of Oyster Bay):
The Township of Oyster Bay operates a tank emptying vessel at no cost to boaters. Hours of operation are 9 am to 5 pm on weekends. Contact the tank emptying vessel via VHF marine radio channel 9 or by cell phone at (516) 375-9864.
Additionally, the municipality offers two floating emptying stations near Oyster Bay Marine Center and Waterfront Park, as well as a land-based station at the Theodore Roosevelt Park Municipal Marina; and
– Port Jefferson Harbor (Town of Brookhaven):
A tank emptying vessel (free of charge) is reported to operate at Port Jefferson Harbor. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Boaters can communicate with the municipal vessel through VHF marine radio channel 73.
