Meetinghouse Creek and Terry Creek in Aquebogue have both been closed to the harvesting of shellfish and carnivorous gastropods in an emergency closure by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Due to elevated saxitoxin levels in mussel samples from Meetinghouse Creek, there is a temporary emergency closure of both Terry and Meetinghouse creeks, which includes the taking of shellfish as well as carnivorous gastropods, such as snails and slugs. Saxitoxin is a marine biotoxin associated with human illness known as paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Both creeks are usually closed to shellfish harvesting year-round anyway, but not usually to carnivorous gastropods.
The emergency closure is effective immediately, May 6, and will continue until a determination is made that marine biotoxins are no longer present at levels that may make shellfish and carnivorous gastropods hazardous for use as food.
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