By Hank Russell
The Town of Brookhaven recently concluded its annual shellfish survey at Patchogue and Bellport Bays in the Great South Bay. The survey measures the shellfish population, local water quality and its effectiveness in using the shellfish in filtering out the waterways.
From August 6 to August 20, the town counted and measured the number of shellfish in each of the 110 samples that were taken in Patchogue and Bellport Bays. The living species consisted of Mercenaria mercenaria (hard clam), Ensis directus (razor clam) and Tagelus plebeius (stout razor clam). The town’s Planning and Environmental Protection Department manages the shellfish in the bay and uses the information gathered as a tool to determine the progress of the town programs and natural processes. This year, the Parks Department provided the equipment to perform the sampling and the Planning and Environmental Department provided the data collection and analysis regarding population densities, sediment types and species compositions.
Brookhaven Town reported the hard clams were found to consist of multiple-year classes and fairly numerous, which could be attributed to the previously opened inlet in Bellport Bay. The razor clams and the stout razor clams were extremely numerous with numbers in excess of 300 per half a cubic meter for the stout razor clams. The town considered this as a “bonus” that will contribute greatly to the filtration of the embayments.
The embayments are divided into an array of grids, with each grid measured at 1,600 square meters (400 meters x 400 meters). The center of the each grid is located by its longitude and latitude. The sample size was one-half of a cubic yard taken by a clam shell bucket dredge on a crane. Two grabs are taken near the center of each numbered grid. The sample is dropped into a large aluminum cull box into which three stacked screens of decreasing sizes and slid. Sediment is washed out using pumped sea water and each screen is examined for shellfish. Collected hard clams are measured and counted, other shellfish are counted.
On August 16, Town Supervisor Dan Panico and Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley visited Sandspit Marina in Patchogue to survey the progress.
“In order to evaluate the efficacy of our efforts, evaluate local water quality and provide meaningful data to the environmental community, we undertake this comprehensive annual survey,” Panico said. “I’m proud of the employees in our environmental protection and parks divisions who undertake the effort. We all share a deep commitment to our environment.”
Foley added, “As the Councilman for the 5th district, which includes much of the Great South Bay, I’m pleased to share the results of our recent Shellfish Survey. From August 6 to 20, we collected 110 samples in Patchogue and Bellport Bays. The findings show multiple year classes of hard clams and a remarkable abundance of razor clams. These results are vital for our ongoing efforts to protect and enhance our local shellfish populations.”