Shellfishing prohibited in many LI waters

Because of storm water runoff that might contain bacteria and pathogens, shellfish harvesting in areas of Suffolk and Nassau counties has been prohibited at least through Nov. 5, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The ban went into effect Monday as a precautionary measure, according to a release, with the approach of superstorm Sandy, which ended up thrashing Long Island.

The shellfishing areas will be reopened based on the results of water quality testing samples, the DEC said.

The ban does not include certified harvesting areas in "Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Gardiners Bay and the Atlantic Ocean that are minimally affected by storm water runoff," according to a release.

Following are areas where shellfishing is temporally banned, areas that also can be seen on a map at the DEC website, www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7765.html

Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay (South Shore): All of Hempstead Bay, East Bay and South Oyster Bay and their tributaries.

Town of North Hempstead: All of Hempstead Harbor south of a line from Prospect Point to Matinecock Point.

Town of Oyster Bay (North Shore): All of Oyster Bay Harbor, all of Cold Spring Harbor south of a line from Rocky Point (Centre Island) to Whitewood Point on Lloyd Neck (Town of Huntington); and all of Hempstead Harbor south of a line from Prospect Point to Matinecock Point.

Towns of Babylon and Islip: All of Great South Bay and its tributaries.

Town of Brookhaven (South Shore): All of Great South Bay, including Nicoll Bay, Patchogue Bay, Bellport Bay and their tributaries; and, all of Narrow Bay, all of Moriches Bay and their tributaries.

Town of Brookhaven (North Shore): All of Stony Brook Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor and Mount Sinai Harbor.

Town of Huntington: All of Northport Bay, Duck Island Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Lloyd Harbor; and, all of Huntington Bay south of a line extending from Lloyd Point to Eatons Neck; and, all of Cold Spring Harbor south of a line extending from Rocky Point, on Centre Island (Town of Oyster Bay), to Whitewood Point on Lloyd Neck.

Town of Smithtown: All of Stony Brook Harbor and its tributaries.

Town of Riverhead: All of Flanders Bay and its tributaries.

Town of Southampton: All of Flanders Bay, Great Peconic Bay, Little Peconic Bay, North Sea Harbor, Noyack Bay, Sag Harbor Shelter Island Sound, Moriches Bay, Quantuck Bay, Quantuck Canal and Shinnecock Bay and all other creeks, bays, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of Southampton.

Town of East Hampton: All of Sag Harbor, Northwest Harbor, Three Mile Harbor, Accabonac Harbor, Napeague Bay, Napeague Harbor, Lake Montauk and all other creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of East Hampton.

Town of Shelter Island: All of Shelter Island Sound, Coecles Harbor, Dering Harbor, West Neck Harbor, Northwest Harbor and all other creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of Shelter Island.

Town of Southold: All of Great Peconic Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Southold Bay, Cutchogue Harbor, Pipes Cove, Orient Harbor, Hallock (Long Beach) Bay, Shelter Island Sound; Hay Harbor, West Harbor and East Harbor on Fishers Island; and all other creeks, bay, harbors, coves and tributaries within the Town of Southold.