DEC: Shellfishing Closed in Southampton Waterways

Tuesday's heavy rains have forced the Department of Environmental Conservation to temporarily close shellfishing in Southampton waterways. 

The DEC announced on Wednesday, that storm water runoff, caused by the rain, has impacted the shellfish population making them "hazardous for use as food."
"Stormwater runoff caused by heavy rainfall carries bacteria and other pathogens into adjacent surface waters," the DEC said. 

Until further notice, all areas of Moriches Bay, Quantuck, Shinnecock Bay, Cold Spring Pond, North Sea Harbor, Noyac Creek, and all of Sag Harbor and its tributaries are closed to shellfishing. 

Also closed is Three Mile Harbor, Hog Creek, Acabonac Harbor, Napeague Harbor, Montauk Harbor. 

The DEC reports that it will reopen the areas to shellfishing after shellfish are deemed safe to eat.