The Department of Environmental Conservation announced a Temporary Closure of Shellfish Harvest in Three Mile Harbor for the Annual Fireworks Show beginning on Saturday, July 12th. The harbor is expected to reopen on Thursday, July 17th.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the temporary closure of shellfish harvesting for Three Mile Harbor in the town of East Hampton, Suffolk County, during the upcoming Clamshell Foundation Fireworks event. The closure begins at sunrise on Saturday, July 12, and continues through Wednesday, July 16.
During this time, no shellfish may be taken from Three Mile Harbor.Since 1993, DEC closes Three Mile Harbor to shellfishing on the day of the fireworks, as well as the following four days.
The annual event draws hundreds of boaters each year, including many that remain in the area overnight.DEC enacts the temporary closure due to the increased potential for contamination of shellfish beds from the large number of recreational boats that gather for this popular event.
IMPORTANT: Potential discharges of waste from marine sanitation devices (toilets) may temporarily contaminate nearby shellfish beds with pathogenic bacteria or viruses, rendering the shellfish unsafe for human consumption. Boaters are reminded that all of the Peconic-Gardiners Bay area, including Three Mile Harbor, is a No-Discharge Zone and they are required to use pump-out facilities. A No-Discharge Zone is a body of water designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where discharges of treated or untreated boat sewage are prohibited.
The Town of East Hampton Trustees operate a pump-out boat that can be reached by using marine radio, VHF Channel 73, or calling 631-644-7162. The Town Harbormaster’s office at Gann Road has a self-serve facility. Both are available at no cost to boaters.
DEC will designate the following area as closed to the harvest of shellfish beginning at sunrise on Saturday, July 12, and continuing through Wednesday, July 16: All the normally certified shellfish lands in Three Mile Harbor, including tributaries, lying south of a line extending due east from the northern end of the western jetty at the inlet of Three Mile Harbor, to the northern end of the eastern jetty, on the eastern side of the inlet. This area of approximately 935 acres includes the entrance channel into the harbor.
Shellfish harvesting is expected to resume in this area at sunrise on Thursday, July 17. If the event is canceled or postponed due to inclement weather, DEC may rescind the closure and reopen the areas to harvesting earlier than July 17.
A recorded message advising the public about temporary closures of any shellfishing areas in New York State is accessible 24 hours a day by calling (631) 444-0480. The recorded message also advises harvesters when such areas have reopened.
Information, including maps showing the affected areas, is available on DEC’s website.A full list of No Discharge Zones in New York State including other Long Island waters, can be found on the U.S. EPA’s website. View the Temporary Shellfish Closures maps on DEC’s website. https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases