Fishery Notice
Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Clam - Razor
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Geoduck and Horseclam
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Scallop by Trawl
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Clam - Intertidal
RECREATIONAL - General Information
RECREATIONAL - Shellfish
Sanitary/Other Contamination Closures
General Information
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Oyster
COMMERCIAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Clam - Razor
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Geoduck and Horseclam
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Scallop by Trawl
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Clam - Intertidal
RECREATIONAL - General Information
RECREATIONAL - Shellfish
Sanitary/Other Contamination Closures
General Information
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Oyster
Subject:
FN1033-Amendment to FN1009 - Public Safety Concern - Area 12 Shellfish Harvested from PSP/Red Tide or Sanitary Closures
Amendment: Portions of Fishery Notice FN1009 which was posted on October 15, 2013 were incorrect. Botulism is generally found in improperly canned products, and it is unlikely that the clams would cause botulism poisoning. However, there is an increased risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning and gastrointestinal disease from these products. The following notice is current: Fisheries and Oceans Canada is warning the public not to consume various shellfish products from a private individual in Port Hardy, due to the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP or 'red tide') and/or sanitary concerns, including high risk of gastrointestinal disease. Advertised products for sale include: Fresh whole butter clams and possibly other species in 40 Kg portions The products were for sale online through a Port Hardy Buy and Sell group page on www.facebook.com, but may have also been distributed through other means. There is no identifying packaging or product code on these items. These products may have been distributed throughout the Port Hardy, BC area. To date, we are not aware of the products being made available through retail locations or restaurants. Anyone who may have purchased or been provided these products should not consume them, and discard them. Cooking will not destroy the toxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning or other marine toxins that cause illness. The symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning include: tingling; numbness, spreading from lips and mouth to face, neck and extremities; dizziness; arm and leg weakness; paralysis; respiratory failure; and possibly death. Symptoms start quickly, within 30 minutes to 3 hours. The progression and intensity of the symptoms will vary. Bivalves harvested from sanitary closures can cause Gastrointestinal Illness, Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP), among numerous other viral and bacterial risks such as Norovirus and Hepatitis A. Symptoms of ASP include severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea within six hours, muscle weakness, disorientation, memory loss, abdominal pain, and dizziness. DSP symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and cramps. The products were harvested from an area closed to shellfish harvesting, and were not processed at a government-approved facility. All bivalve shellfish sold in BC must come from open shellfish harvesting areas and from sources that pass federal inspection. This alert is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). DFO is currently working with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Island Health to investigate any possible cases of illness. Currently there have been no illnesses directly linked to these products. Anyone who has consumed these products and has become ill should report their illness to their local public health office and see a physician if symptoms persist or become severe. Call the 24-hour HealthLink BC Line at 8-1-1 for more information. If you have any information, please contact the Port Hardy office at 250-949- 6422, or the 24 hour toll free Observe, Record and Report (ORR) line at 1-800- 465-4336. Detailed bivalve shellfish closure information and maps are available at our website: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/psp and at local DFO offices. For more information contact a local DFO office, Elysha Gordon at 250-756-7192, or Jeffrey Radford at 250-756-7277
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1033
Sent October 18, 2013 at 1556
Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 29, 2024 at 0238
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