Shellfish harvesting areas in five Suffolk County towns have been designated as uncertified (closed) for shellfish harvesting, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.

These temporary closures have been implemented due to the heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff that occurred as the remnants of Hurricane Michael passed Long Island, which saw some areas receiving in excess of three to nearly four inches of rain.

Effective immediately on Friday, Oct.12, and continuing until DEC determines conditions no longer exist that may make shellfish hazardous for use as food, the following areas in Suffolk County are designated as uncertified (closed) and the harvesting of shellfish is temporarily prohibited:

Towns of Babylon and Islip: All of Great South Bay lying west of the Robert Moses Causeway (north bound span) and east of a line extending southerly from the mouth of Amity Creek, continuing along the Amityville Cut (boat channel) to the northwestern corner of the West Gilgo boat basin on Jones Island.

Towns of Islip and Brookhaven (south shore): All that area of northern Great South Bay, including Nicoll Bay and Patchogue Bay, lying northerly of a series of navigational buoys extending easterly from the southern base of the northbound span of the Robert Moses Causeway to a buoy lying south of Howells Point (Bellport) thence proceeding southeasterly from that buoy (G "1" Fl G 2.5s) to the flag tower at Bellport Beach (located on the barrier beach, Fire Island).

Towns of Riverhead and Southampton: All that area of Flanders Bay and its tributaries lying westerly of a line extending southerly from Miamogue Point to the northernmost point of Red Cedar Point.

Town of Southampton: All of Red Creek Pond and Squire Pond.

DEC will re-open areas as soon as possible based on the results of water quality testing to be conducted on samples collected from the affected areas.

A recorded voice message advising harvesters of the status of the areas may be heard at (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated over the course of these temporary closures with information about re-openings. For more detailed descriptions of the closed areas, call DEC’s Bureau of Shellfisheries during normal business hours at (631) 444-0492.

Additional information about temporary closures is available on DEC’s website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7765.html.