DEC Temporarily Closes Shellfishing Areas In Pt. Jeff Harbor Complex

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced shellfish harvesting in the Port Jefferson Harbor Complex, including the tributaries of Setauket Harbor, the Narrows, and Conscience Bay, within the town of Brookhaven, is designated as uncertified (closed) for shellfish harvesting effective immediately Wednesday, June 5, 2024. DEC implemented this temporary closure due to a sewage discharge event caused by a break in the effluent force main from the State University of New York at Stony Brook sewage treatment plant to the Port Jefferson sewage treatment plant. The break resulted in a release of partially treated waste without disinfection into Port Jefferson Harbor on the evening of June 4, 2024. Effective immediately, and continuing until a determination is made that conditions no longer exist that may make shellfish hazardous for use as food, the following areas are designated as uncertified, and the harvest of shellfish is prohibited until further notice:  Town of Brookhaven (North Shore):Port Jefferson Harbor and its tributaries. This action affects approximately 1,639 acres of shellfishing beds in the NS5 harvest area and is necessary to protect public health. Without disinfection, partially treated sewage effluent carries high levels of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. When water quality in the enclosed harbors and bays is adversely affected by sewage, shellfish in these areas have an increased potential to be hazardous for use as food.  A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of these shellfish areas may be heard at (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated throughout the temporary closures. For a more detailed description of the closed areas, call DEC’s office of Marine Resources during normal business hours at (631) 444-0492. Additionally, information about temporary closures is available on DEC’s website at: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/shellfishing/temporary-closures.