Shellfish Areas to Temporarily Close

Three shellfishing areas, including one off Lloyd Neck, will be closed starting Tuesday to protect from contamination from increased boating traffic during Fourth of July week. They are expected to reopen July 10.

DEC closes shellfishing in these waters each year during the Fourth of July holiday due to the heavy increase in recreational boating,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “We strongly encourage boaters to act responsibly and be aware of the no-discharge zones in Port Jefferson Harbor, Oyster Bay Harbor, and the Sand Hole and to use pump-out facilities to prevent impacts to our natural resources and protect public health.”

The three areas are:

The Sand Hole (Lloyd Neck):

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

Port Jefferson Harbor:

Brookhaven operates a pump-out boat (no fee) in Port Jefferson Harbor. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays only. Boaters may contact the Town’s pump-out boat via marine radio VHF channel 73.

full list of No Discharge Zones in New York State, including other Long Island waters, can be found on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

Oyster Bay Harbor (West Harbor):

One pump-out boat is operated by the Town of Oyster Bay at no fee to boaters. Contact the pump-out boat via marine radio VHF channel 9. In addition, the town provides two pump-out stations on floats near the Oyster Bay Marine Center and Waterfront Park and a land-based pump-out in the town marina at Theodore Roosevelt Park.

Since 1995, DEC has designated these areas as temporarily uncertified for the harvest of shellfish during the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays. During peak holiday periods, discharges from marine sanitation devices (toilets) may contaminate nearby shellfish beds with pathogenic bacteria or viruses, rendering the shellfish unsafe for human consumption.

 

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