Great South Bay Reseeded With 1.5 Million Clams

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Town of Oyster Bay officials and workers took to the water to reseed the Great South Bay with clams.

The town received 1.5 million mollusks as part of the state's Department of Environmental Conservation's Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project. Mature clams are "planted" in waters along the South Shore to reproduce and grow. The clams that were seeded were provided by grower Bill Zeller of Captree Clams.

“We are pleased to partner with the DEC and Stony Brook University as we continue to expand our shellfish restoration program to our south shore, following our tremendous success in increasing planting on the north shore by millions,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “These adult clams are placed into spawner sanctuaries within the greater conservation management areas located in South Oyster Bay, in areas that have been set aside based on data that has been collected about the physical circulation of the local water.”

When fully grown, shellfish colonies help break up incoming waves. This reduces the impact to the shoreline and the flooding that storms can cause.

Based on the information gathered, Stony Brook determined where shellfish larvae from the spawn of the clams will drift in the next year. Using these calculations, they will continue to monitor the success of clams that are planted and spawned as a result of this effort.