Shellfishing in Southampton Reopens

The Department of Environmental Conservation has reopened shellfishing in Southampton after it banned the harvesting of shellfish Monday due to a large volume of storm runoff caused by rains.

The DEC has tested area waterways and deemed many of them safe to harvest shellfish, according to a statement to the media.

"Water quality is now suitable for the harvest of shellfish for human consumption," read the release.

Normally certified shellfishing areas in Moriches Bay in Southampton are currently open and on Saturday shellfishing will reopen in the normally certified shellfishing areas in Shinnecock Bay and Flanders Bay; as well as creeks, ponds and harbors along the north shore of the town of Southampton, including Red Creek Pond, Squire Pond, Cold Spring Pond, North Sea Harbor, Noyac Creek and Sag Harbor.

The DEC said its action to suspend shell fishing earlier this week was precautionary to “protect public health following the exceptionally heavy rainfall."

In all effected areas, the DEC said rainfall was measured in excess of 3 inches with some areas getting hit with more than 10 inches of rain.

“Such extraordinary volumes of storm water runoff carry bacteria and viruses into the creeks, covers, harbors and bays and may cause shellfish in the affected areas to be hazardous for use as food,” read the DEC statement.