Regulatory Changes For Shellfish Harvest Areas
Recent changes in 6 NYCRR Part 41
Check DEC's website for the current Shellfish Closures and Temporary Shellfish Closures in effect.
Effective August 6, 2025, DEC revised Part 41 Sanitary Condition of Shellfish Lands to include the following updates. For more information, visit Marine Resources Regulatory Revisions for the full text of the rulemaking and details for the public comment period.
Recent changes have occurred for the following towns
Town of Oyster Bay
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Oyster Bay (North Shore).
Oyster Bay Harbor:
- 20-acres of Long Island Sound will be downgraded from certified year-round to uncertified year-round.
- 26-acres of Cold Spring Harbor will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Town of Southampton
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Southampton.
Flanders Bay: 63-acres of Hubbard Creek will be upgraded from seasonally uncertified May 1 through November 30 to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Shinnecock Bay: 44-acres of Middle Pond will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Sag Harbor Bay: 26-acres of Sag Harbor Bay will be downgraded from certified year-round to uncertified year-round January 1 through December 31.
Sag Harbor: 6-acres of Short Bay will be downgraded from certified year-round to uncertified year-round January 1 through December 31st.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Shinnecock Bay, Mecox Bay, and Sag Harbor Bay - Clarify closure descriptions to improve readability of the regulations.
Town of East Hampton
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in East Hampton.
Sag Harbor Bay: 26-acres of Sag Harbor Bay will be downgraded from certified year-round to uncertified year-round January 1 through December 31.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Sag Harbor Bay - Clarify closure descriptions to improve readability of the regulations.
Town of Shelter Island
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Shelter Island.
Coecles Harbor: 11-acres of Congdon’s Creek will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Mashomack Creek: 56-acres of Mashomack Creek will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Town of Southold
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Southold
Cutchogue Harbor: 3-acres of Broadwater Cove will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Orient Harbor: 19-acres of Oyster Ponds Creek will be downgraded from seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31 to uncertified year-round.
Little Peconic Bay: 3-acres of Corey Creek, Nunnakoma Waters Marina, Laughing Waters Marina, and The Cove Condos Marina, will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Long Island Sound - The latitude and longitude of the STP outfall was updated, and the N.O.A.A. Nautical Chart reference was clarified.
- Mattituck Creek - Updated the description of closure line reference points for enforcement purposes.
- Hashamomuck Pond - Updated the description of a closure line reference point in Long Creek.
- Plum Gut - Updated the descriptions of closure line reference points for enforcement purposes.
- Little Peconic Bay - Corrected a spelling error and clarified the closure description.
Town of Smithtown
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Smithtown.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Smithtown Bay – Clarify closure descriptions to improve readability of the regulations.
Town of Huntington
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Huntington.
Cold Spring Harbor: 68-acres of Cold Spring Harbor will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Western Long Island: 125-acres of The Sand Hole will be downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through December 31.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Smithtown Bay – Existing subparagraphs are renumbered and descriptions are clarified to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
Division of Marine Resources
123 Kings Park Blvd. (Nissequogue River State Park)
Kings Park, NY 11754
