East Moriches

Located roughly 70 miles east of New York City, East Moriches is a hamlet in the town of Brookhaven, south of Montauk Highway. The name Moriches is said to be derived from Meritces, the name of a Native American who owned land in the area. Most early residents lived near the water, as boats were the main means of transportation. Fishing was an important occupation, and is still a popular activity here – visitors and locals can charter their own boat or book a day of fishing on a party boat.
It’s no surprise that water quality is important to the residents of East Moriches. In 2012 a small group of citizens established a nonprofit organization, the Moriches Bay Project, whose mission is to improve the quality of the water in Moriches Bay, through oyster farming and planting eel grass. Partnering with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Southampton Town Trustees and Brookhaven Town, the Project also involves school groups and members of the local community. In 2017 Moriches Bay Project placed more than 400,000 oysters in the bay. They have involved more than 4,500 people in their efforts to help improve water quality in the bay.