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Government acts on shellfish toxin
29/05/1998
A ban on fishing for certain live bivalve molluscs in an area of water around Orkney, because of a build-up of naturally occurring Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxins, was announced today by The Scottish Office.
The action is based on scientific advice following test results from the Government's sampling programme. These tests showed that the toxin has reached a level at which there is a risk to consumers.
The species affected by this ban are scallops and queens, mussels, cockles and razor clams. No other commercially marketed shellfish is affected by today's action.
BACKGROUND
1. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) is caused by naturally occurring algal blooms.
2. Under the Order made today, the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) Order 1998, the taking of certain bivalve molluscs (being scallops and queens, mussels, cockles and razor clams) from the specified area is prohibited from 20.00 hours today. The landing and use in the production of food of these bivalve molluscs taken from the area after one minute past midnight on May 29, 1998 is also prohibited.
3. The area of sea which is affected is around Orkney, including Scapa Flow and will be recognised by the fishing industry as boxes on the map used in the Government's monitoring programme.
News Release: 1112/98
May 29, 1998