Massive turtle deaths lead to shellfish harvest ban
Scientists say several hundred diamondback turtles recently died in Flanders Bay and washed up in the Riverhead and Flanders areas. Researchers believe saxitoxin, a shellfish toxin, may be the problem.
•
May 20, 2015, 2:01 AM
•
Updated 3,549 days ago
Share:
Scientists say several hundred diamondback turtles recently died in Flanders Bay and washed up in the Riverhead and Flanders areas.
Researchers believe saxitoxin, a shellfish toxin, may be the problem.
Experts say there are red tides and saxitoxin in the shellfish every year, but the levels this year are 10 times higher than they usually find.
The dangers have led the Department of Environmental Conservation to temporarily ban harvesting shellfish in about 4,000 acres of water in the Peconic.
More from News 12
2:20
STORM WATCH: Snow, ice and rain to make for slick Thursday morning commute
2:20
SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Closings, delays and schedule changes on Long Island
2:10
Democratic Nassau lawmakers sue County Executive Blakeman, Sheriff LaRocco over special deputy sheriffs program
1:20
East Hampton Village leaders hold special meeting about immigration enforcement
0:28
Town of East Hampton issues warning about email scam to residents
