DEC shuts shellfish harvesting in Southold

Commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting on about 92 acres of Mattituck Creek and Mattituck Inlet in Southold has been temporarily shut down after the state found evidence of saxitoxin, a marine biotoxin that can be harmful to humans.

The closure represents the first time the biotoxin has been found in Mattituck during open harvesting season and the earliest the state has closed down a shellfishing area since it began sampling for the contaminant in 2006, said William Hastback, shellfisheries section head for the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Closures typically do not begin until early or mid-May.

The shellfishing ban includes the creek, inlet and both sides of the rock jetties that protect the inlet. It will be in effect until further notice. The area, used seasonally for shellfishing, had already been scheduled to close April 16.

"I think it's probably related to the unusually warm weather we had, particularly in March," Hastback said. "I wouldn't be surprised if there are more closures."

The algae Alexandrium produces saxitoxin, which impairs nerve function in humans. Scallops, mussels and clams can filter in the toxin, which collects in the tissue of the shellfish and can be dangerous for humans to eat.

The algae bloom in warm weather. Temperatures on Long Island this winter were 5 degrees warmer than usual, according to the National Weather Service in Upton.

"It's going to be around at least in this area for a while," said Christopher J. Gobler, a professor at Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. "There could be other areas where this pops up."

Alexandrium has been found in Long Island waters since the 1970s, but the first harmful bloom came in 2005 and caused closures in Northport and Huntington harbors. Since then, blooms have recurred in Long Island waters almost yearly.

"The trend going from nothing to seeing these things pop up all over the Island is not encouraging," Gobler said.

Shellfish harvesters can call 631-444-0480 to check the status of closed areas.