Shellfish Closure in Southwest New Brunswick

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public that the harvesting of bi-valve molluscs, for recreational or commercial purposes, along the mainland of Southwest New Brunswick from Saint John to the United States border is closed due to an increase in levels of toxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), reports www.megafishnet.com to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

No person shall fish for all clams, all mussels, all whelks and all oysters in the closed area.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning results from shellfish that contain naturally occurring toxins.  These toxins are derived from planktonic organisms called dinoflagellates.  When the right conditions are present (water temperature, salinity, weather patterns, nutrient requirements, etc.), levels of concentration can increase.

Bivalve molluscs are shellfish with two shells, and include: oysters, clams (soft shell clams, razor clams, surf clams), mussels, quahogs (bay and ocean) and whelks.