Recent changes in 6 NYCRR Part 41
Check DEC's website for the current Shellfish Closures and Temporary Shellfish Closures in effect.
Effective June 29 2026, 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 Hempstead
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Hempstead.
Hempstead Bay:
- 5-acres of Hempstead Bay were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified.
Town of Oyster Bay
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Oyster Bay.
Oyster Bay Harbor:
- 217-acres of Oyster Bay Harbor were downgraded from certified year-round to uncertified year-round.
- 59-acres of Oyster Bay Harbor were downgraded from seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31 to uncertified year-round.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Guggenheim Pond – The existing clause was renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
- Tobay Marina-Boat Basin and Tobay Heading – The existing clause was renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
- Oyster Bay Harbor – The existing clauses were renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
- Mill Neck Creek – The existing subparagraph was renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
Town of Brookhaven
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Brookhaven.
Patchogue Bay and Bellport Bay: 47-acres of Patchogue Bay and Bellport Bay were upgraded from uncertified year-round to seasonally uncertified June 1 through December 31.
Moriches Bay: 67-acres of Moriches Bay were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through November 30.
Port Jefferson Harbor: 51-acres of Port Jefferson Harbor were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Long Island Sound: 35-acres of Long Island Sound were upgraded from uncertified year-round to certified year-round.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- The existing subparagraphs for Stony Brook Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor, and Mt. Sinai Harbor were renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations .
Town of Southampton
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Southampton.
Shinnecock Bay:
- 34-acres of Shinnecock Bay near Weesuck Creek were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
- 1-acre of Shinnecock Bay near Dockers Waterside Marina and Restaurant were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Sag Harbor:
- 11-acres of Sag Harbor Cove were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
- 30-acres of The Little Narrows were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Sag Harbor – The existing clauses were renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
Town of Southold
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Southold.
Pipes Cove: 20-acres of Pipes Cove were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Technical Changes to Existing Regulations Include:
- Southold Bay – A closure reference marker was updated to improve readability.
- Pipes Cove – The existing subparagraph was renumbered to reduce complexity and improve readability of the regulations.
Town of Riverhead
Check here for the current shellfish closure regulation descriptions and reference maps in Riverhead.
Long Island Sound: 35-acres of Long Island Sound were upgraded from uncertified year-round to certified year-round.
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 – The existing clauses were renumbered to reduce complexity and 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: 9-acres of Cold Spring Harbor were downgraded from certified year-round to seasonally uncertified May 1 through October 31.
Smithtown Bay: 86-acres of Smithtown Bay were downgraded from certified year-round to uncertified year-round.
