Wickham Creek may soon open to shellfishing
Wickham Creek in Cutchogue, long closed to shellfishing, could open again soon, thanks to Cutchogue residents who worked to improve water quality there and petitioned the state Department of Environmental Conservation to conduct more thorough testing.
Southold Town Trustee John Bredemeyer told the Southold Town Board Tuesday that the creek could be recertified for shellfishing if the town continues to pressure the DEC to change its status.
“One or two rain events could tip it the other way, though,” he cautioned. He did say that the water quality in the creek has been steadily improving over the years.
The trustee reminded residents to pick up after their pets when walking near the creek, since coliform bacteria in pet feces is often a major contributing factor to the closure of shellfish beds.
