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Shellfish Harvesting at Squalicum Harbor closed
Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Bellingham Bay is closed to all species of shellfish. Sampling revealed dangerous levels of toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.

  • Eating shellfish contaminated with marine biotoxin can kill you.
  • Biotoxins are NOT destroyed by cooking or by freezing.
  • Marine Biotoxin information is also available by telephone, toll free, at 1-800-562-5632.
Emergency Closures Due to Marine Biotoxins and Vibrio
Know Before You Dig!

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is one of the four recognized syndromes of shellfish poisoning (the others being neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, diarrhetic shellfish poisoning and amnesic shellfish poisoning). All four syndromes share some common features and are primarily associated with bivalve molluscs (such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops). These shellfish are filter feeders and, therefore, accumulate toxins produced by microscopic algae, such as dinoflagellates and diatoms, and cyanobacteria.[1] Human toxicity and mortality can occur after ingestion of these animals, but toxicity is also seen in wild animal populations.

Wikipedia:Paralytic shellfish poisoning
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 September 2009 )
 
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