In a sizable portion of the coastal waters off Massachusetts’ North Shore, in particular, shellfish harvesting is currently prohibited. Due to harmful algae blooms that can result in Red Tide, also known as Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), these restrictions are in place.
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) first declared the ban last month; it is still in force until the toxicity levels decline. From Salisbury Beach to the waters off Gloucester, there were fourteen growing areas where it was illegal to collect any bivalve shellfish or carnivorous snails.
In late June, a collection ban on blue mussels was announced, affecting many South Shore growing regions.
Soft-shell clams were deemed safe to gather and consume in the Essex Bay area on July 7, but all other bivalve shellfish and carnivorous snails are still regarded as dangerous.
According to a July 8 update from DMF officials, a number of areas will remain closed until mid- to late July despite declining toxicity levels.
Alexandrium fundyense, a naturally occurring microscopic plankton, experiences a sudden population boom that causes red tide in the waters off New England. According to the DMF, this plankton blooms are brought on by environmental factors that encourage rapid growth, such as warm surface temperatures, a high concentration of nutrients, low salinity, and calm seas. These blooms are especially prevalent in the summer when rainy intervals are followed by sunny weather.
PSP is a disease brought on by consuming tainted shellfish. Shellfish and other marine species consume microscopic algae that is filtered out of seawater. These organisms can gather enough neurotoxic algae during a harmful algae bloom to be risky and possibly fatal to humans if consumed. The animals eventually get rid of the toxin because it has no effect on the shellfish themselves.
The Red Tide name refers to the toxic blooms that occasionally cause the water to turn reddish brown. Even if a specific algae bloom has made shellfish poisonous, this discoloration does not always occur. On the other hand, numerous nontoxic species of reddish brown plankton can result in comparable stains.
The DMF states that swimming in Red Tide-affected waters is completely safe.
The most frequently impacted seafood includes hard-shell and soft-shell clams, oysters, mussels, whelks, and moon snails, but scallops and lobster meat are typically safe to consume.
When ingested, the poison immediately affects the nervous system, and the DMF states that symptoms can appear in as little as 30 minutes. Tingling of the lips and tongue is a typical initial reaction, and it can quickly spread to the face, neck, fingertips, and toes. Next are a headache, lightheadedness, and nausea. In extreme cases, respiratory problems and muscular paralysis could happen. PSP-related respiratory paralysis has been linked to documented deaths.
Restaurants have been forced to purchase shellfish from outside the state as a result of these restrictions, according to WBUR. Usually, this results in price increases for both restaurants and customers. Typically, when local clams are unavailable, restaurateurs turn to Maine clams.
