Shell fishing in part of Huntington Town has been sidelined as the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) imposed a temporary ban.

The DEC says shellfish samples collected from Northport Harbor tested positive for the marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning. The poisoning is caused by a small type of algae, which can be absorbed by mussels, clams and oysters. DEC officials say it's the first time the naturally occurring marine biotoxin has been found in New York waters.

As a precaution, the DEC temporarily banned shell fishing in Northport Bay, Centerport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Coast Guard Cove and Huntington Bay.