ALBANY - The Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the harvesting of shellfish, other than oysters, from particular areas in the Town of Oyster Bay is permitted, effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 4.

The closure of approximately 1,980 acres in Oyster Bay Harbor on the north shore of the Town of Oyster Bay was implemented pursuant to National Shellfish Sanitation program requirements following the documented illness of at least 10 individuals who consumed raw or partially cooked shellfish that had been harvested in Oyster Bay Harbor. The illnesses were caused by the naturally-occurring marine bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.  State Department of Health determined that the illnesses were associated with the consumption of shellfish or foods which were cross contaminated with raw shellfish and DEC determined the source of the shellfish.

When ingested, Vibrio parahaemolyticus may cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, often accompanied by abdominal cramps, fever and chills. 

Based on these findings, DEC has partially rescinded the closure order that was implemented on July 12.  The harvest of shellfish other than oysters is permitted from the normally certified areas of Oyster Bay Harbor.  The harvest of oysters continues to be prohibited in all of the normally certified shellfish lands in Oyster Bay Harbor lying westerly of a line extending southerly from the stone house at Plum Point (Centre Island) to the northwestern most point of Cove Point on Cove Neck.

A map showing the affected areas is available on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7765.html.