RJ
06-17-2006, 09:09 AM
Re-opening Follows Extensive Testing of Shellfish and Water
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the re-opening of particular shellfish harvesting areas in the Town of Huntington. The areas had been closed on May 27 after DECs Bureau of Marine Resources detected marine biotoxins in shellfish harvested in the Northport area. Approximately 800 acres in eastern Northport Bay will remain closed to shellfishing pending further testing.
The following areas will be designated as certified (open) for the harvest of shellfish effective at sunrise on Saturday, June 17 and the harvest of shellfish will be permitted:
All the normally certified shellfish lands in Centerport Harbor; Duck Island Harbor; Lloyd Harbor; Coast Guard Cove; Huntington Bay and that portion of Northport Bay lying westerly of a line extending southerly from Duck Island to Little Neck Point.
The decision to re-open the areas was based on the results of extensive testing of shellfish samples and examination of phytoplankton samples. DECs microbiology laboratory has tested more than 120 shellfish samples since the start of the closure on May 27. Extracts from approximately 50 of those samples were sent to the Maine Department of Marine Resources biotoxin laboratory for additional testing. The Maine laboratory confirmed DECs results that biotoxins are not detectable in shellfish in the 4300 acres being reopened.
Low levels of the biotoxin were detected in shellfish collected from Northport Harbor prompting DECs Bureau of Marine Resources to maintain a precautionary closure of approximately 800 acres of Northport Bay adjacent to the mouth of Northport Harbor. That area will be reopened when the toxin is no longer detectable in shellfish from Northport Harbor.
DEC also sent water samples to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts. Scientists there examined those samples for the presence of the specific phytoplankton that produces the biotoxin that shellfish, like clams, mussels and oysters can concentrate. WHOI scientists determined that the toxin-producing phytoplankton (Alexandrium fundyense) was not present in the most recent water samples.
A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of shellfish areas affected by closures may be heard by calling (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closures. To view the May 27th press release on the shellfish closures, please visit DECs website at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2006/200678.html
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the re-opening of particular shellfish harvesting areas in the Town of Huntington. The areas had been closed on May 27 after DECs Bureau of Marine Resources detected marine biotoxins in shellfish harvested in the Northport area. Approximately 800 acres in eastern Northport Bay will remain closed to shellfishing pending further testing.
The following areas will be designated as certified (open) for the harvest of shellfish effective at sunrise on Saturday, June 17 and the harvest of shellfish will be permitted:
All the normally certified shellfish lands in Centerport Harbor; Duck Island Harbor; Lloyd Harbor; Coast Guard Cove; Huntington Bay and that portion of Northport Bay lying westerly of a line extending southerly from Duck Island to Little Neck Point.
The decision to re-open the areas was based on the results of extensive testing of shellfish samples and examination of phytoplankton samples. DECs microbiology laboratory has tested more than 120 shellfish samples since the start of the closure on May 27. Extracts from approximately 50 of those samples were sent to the Maine Department of Marine Resources biotoxin laboratory for additional testing. The Maine laboratory confirmed DECs results that biotoxins are not detectable in shellfish in the 4300 acres being reopened.
Low levels of the biotoxin were detected in shellfish collected from Northport Harbor prompting DECs Bureau of Marine Resources to maintain a precautionary closure of approximately 800 acres of Northport Bay adjacent to the mouth of Northport Harbor. That area will be reopened when the toxin is no longer detectable in shellfish from Northport Harbor.
DEC also sent water samples to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts. Scientists there examined those samples for the presence of the specific phytoplankton that produces the biotoxin that shellfish, like clams, mussels and oysters can concentrate. WHOI scientists determined that the toxin-producing phytoplankton (Alexandrium fundyense) was not present in the most recent water samples.
A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of shellfish areas affected by closures may be heard by calling (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closures. To view the May 27th press release on the shellfish closures, please visit DECs website at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2006/200678.html