Clammers Busted In Illegal Shellfish Harvesting In Bellport Bay: Town

BELLPORT, NY – Around Six bushels of hard clams illegally harvested were confiscated during a recent shellfish enforcement action focusing on the Old Inlet region of Bellport Bay after there were complaints from residents, the Brookhaven Town Harbormaster’s office said.

Multiple clammers were checked, resulting in the seizure and they were issued numerous tickets for failing to possess a valid town commercial shellfish permit; non-resident shell fishing in town waters; and possession of undersized hard clams, according to the office.

All the illegally harvested clams were returned to the bay, the office said.

Further details were not released.

Brookhaven has for many years, provided millions of seed clams and oysters for planting in Bellport, Patchogue, and Moriches bays. It runs one of Long Island’s largest municipal shellfish hatcheries in Mount Sinai Harbor, where millions of oysters and clams are grown.

Those shellfish are planted in bays and harbors throughout the town when they reach maturity to help clean local waters and revive local fisheries.