Local Seafood Industry Isolated from Oil Spill Effects

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has devastated that region's seafood industry, but Three Village's own fishmongers can count themselves as economically untouched by the disaster so far.

The Department of Environmental Conservation, which has its regional headquarters on the campus of Stony Brook University, said in a statement local waters are currently safe from the effects of the spill.

"While the Deepwater Horizon spill has affected much of the Gulf Coast's fishing industry, current models do not show petroleum contamination from the ongoing spill affecting New York State waters or coastal zones," the DEC said. "We will continue to keep in close contact with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and our local government agencies to ensure the New York's natural marine resources remain safe for our residents to enjoy."

Charlie Lamont, a local fisherman who has spent the past 22 years fishing in Long Island's waters, said the oil spill has not impacted this area's fishing industry the way it has in the Gulf.

"We don't compete with the Gulf," said Lamont, who sells steamers. "We compete with New England."

At Setauket Seafood, co-owner Matt Lin said there has been little difference in sales since the oil spill hit, but more people are asking where the seafood comes from.

Raymond Ortiz, who has owned Land and Sea Fish Market in Setauket for 18 years, also has not seen an oil-spill-related downturn in business.

"Everything is exactly the same," Ortiz said.

He too has customers who come in with questions about the safety of the seafood.

"They all ask the same thing," Ortiz said. "Do you get anything from the Gulf?"

He doesn't – the majority of his stock is locally caught. Which is what brought Stony Brook resident Diane Anastasia to his store on Thursday.

"It's been wonderful," she said. "I keep buying it."

Another customer, who declined to give his name, wasn't really concerned about contaminated local seafood.

"My biggest concern is there has yet to be any concern for what's happening down there, like the outpouring that you saw for Haiti," he said.