Oyster Bay Shellfish Beds Partially Reopen

Harvesting shellfish from certified waters in the eastern portion of Oyster Bay Harbor is allowed once again, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

The DEC partially reopened the harbor on Saturday, more than two months after reports of shellfish-related illnesses forced the agency to act.

About 4,800 acres of shellfish lands in Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor on the north shore of Long Island were closed June 29 for the harvest of shellfish as a precautionary measure to protect public health.

This closure was implemented following reports of shellfish-related illnesses that were associated with consumption of oysters and hard clams harvested from these areas. The illnesses were caused by the naturally-occurring, marine bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp), as confirmed by the state Health Department.

The DEC said harvest of shellfish, but not oysters, is again permitted in approximately 1,100 acres of the normally certified shellfish lands in the eastern portion of Oyster Bay Harbor.

Harvesting of oysters continues to be prohibited in approximately 1,100 acres of shellfish lands in that portion of Oyster Bay Harbor lying easterly of a line extending from Brickyard Point on Centre Island to the northernmost rock jetty lying north of the Town of Oyster Bay boat ramp in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park.

The oyster harvest also remains prohibited in 2,400 acres of shellfish lands in Cold Spring Harbor, lying south of a line extending easterly from Rocky Point on Centre Island to Whitewood Point on Lloyd Neck.

Commercial harvesters who take shellfish from the reopened areas of the harvest area known as NS-2 are asked to label shellfish tags with the harvest area "NS2 -Cold Spring Harbor" or "NS2-Oyster Bay Harbor" as appropriate.

The DEC will continue to collect and test oyster samples from the eastern portion of Oyster Bay Harbor to determine the level of Vp present in oysters. When the DEC, in consultation with the FDA, determines that Vp is no longer present in oysters at levels that are hazardous to human health, the remaining areas of eastern Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor will be re-opened for oyster harvest.