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Heavy rainfall leads to shellfishing shutdown in Southold

Thursday’s heavy rainfall has led to the temporary closure of shellfishing spots in Southold Town beginning today and continuing through next Thursday, according to the State DEC.

All of Hallock Bay and all Southold Town waters between Cleeves Point and Orient Point, including Dam Pond, Oyster Pond and Marion Lake, will be closed to shellfishing for the next week.

“This precautionary action was taken to protect public health following the exceptionally heavy rainfall event that is currently affecting Long Island,” reads a DEC press release.

Rainfall was measured in excess of three inches in the affected areas, according to the DEC. The extraordinary volume of stormwater runoff entering the creeks, coves, and bays may cause shellfish in the affected areas to be hazardous for use as food.

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