Emergency rainfall temporary shellfish closures are effective immediately on September 10, 2020, for the following areas due to the extremely heavy rainfall and extraordinary amounts of stormwater runoff and localized street flooding associated with the rainfall:

• Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay (south shore): All that area of Hempstead Bay, East Bay and South Oyster Bay, including tributaries.
• Towns of Babylon and Islip: All that area of South Oyster Bay, Great South Bay and their tributaries lying westerly of the northbound span of the Robert Moses Causeway Bridges.
• Towns of Islip and Brookhaven (south): All that area of northern Great South Bay, including Nicoll Bay, and tributaries lying northerly of a line extending northerly from the southern base of the northbound span of the Robert Moses Causeway (north side of Captree Island) to Dickerson Channel Buoy R N "6" then easterly to North Channel Buoy R "4" Fl R 4s (southwest of Nicoll Point) to junction buoy GR "EN" Fl (2+1) G 6s (Nicoll Bay) to North Channel Buoy R N "30" (south of Green Point) through North Channel Buoys R N "32", R "34" FL R 2.5s, thence proceeding northwesterly from buoy R "34" FL R 2.5s to Brown Creek Light Fl R 4s 20ft 3M “2” (on the southern tip of the eastern jetty).

Shellfish harvesters can check the status of emergency (temporary) rainfall closures on DEC's website and by calling a recorded message at 631-444-0480 for the status of the closures. This message will be updated to advise on the status of the closure and reopening of harvest areas.

Heavy rainfall can lead to pollution moving from land to water, known as 'runoff', which is a major threat to water quality and the shellfish that live in affected waterbodies. DEC temporarily closes certain areas that exceed a rainfall amount to prevent the harvest of shellfish and to protect public health.

Emergency rainfall shellfish closures last between 4-7 days. During that time, DEC, in cooperation with bay constables and local municipalities, collect and examine water samples from the affected areas. The temporary closure will be rescinded once water quality meets certified area criteria and shellfish have adequate time to naturally cleanse themselves of potential pathogens.

Visit DEC's website to learn more about Emergency Rainfall Closures.