Slim picking on scallops
New season yields some, but not many
By Gwendolen Groocock

ORIENT--At sunrise on Monday morning, Hallocks Bay was deserted. Missing were the dozens of people in boats, canoes, hip-high waders, and even bathing suits, with scuba tanks strapped to their backs, who historically flock to the broad inlet on the first Monday in October, the traditional start of scallop season.

But Hallocks Bay, the only town-owned water that still produces scallops in any numbers, remained closed until Wednesday morning by order of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Polluted runoff following heavy rains last week flooded local waters with contaminants, resulting in dangerously high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, according to the DEC. The turnout on Wednesday was sparse, as were the scallops, observers said.

The state commercial scalloping season also began Monday, and fishermen worked the areas of state-owned waters that are currently open. They brought a few bushels to local fish markets, where the shucked shellfish can be bought for about $25 a pound.

Charlie Manwaring, owner of Southold Fish Market, said he received about 50 bushels on Monday, and about half that on Tuesday.

"It's not great," he said. "We'll have them for about a week, but then it'll be over."

Only those with recreational shellfishing permits are allowed to scallop in Hallocks Bay during the town's noncommercial season, which lasts until Monday, Oct. 18.