State reopens 3,600 acres of shellfish beds

The state said Friday it has reopened most of the 3,900 acres of western Shinnecock Bay it closed to shellfish harvesting in the Town of Southampton a month ago.

About 315 acres outside the mouth of Weesuck Creek remains closed because they do not meet state standards for levels of saxitoxin, a marine biotoxin, the Department of Environmental Conservation said.

The department reopened 3,600 acres at noon Friday after extensive testing of shellfish in the area found the levels of saxitoxin had dropped to a point where the shellfish were deemed safe for human consumption, DEP spokeswoman Lori Severino said.

Shellfish harvesters can monitor the status of any closings at the DEP information line at 631-444-0480.