News / Shellfish warning
PEOPLE have been warned not to collect and eat any wild shellfish due to high levels of naturally occurring toxins.
The council’s environmental health manager Maggie Sandison said on Monday that eleven of the 20 commercial mussel harvesting areas have been closed due to Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP).
DSP is caused by a rapid plankton bloom generally triggered by warmer temperatures and quieter seas.
Eating DSP affected shellfish can result in severe cases of diarrhea and vomiting.
Sandison said: “We have seen this level of toxins coming up the west coast of Scotland, and it has finally hit us.
“It is a naturally forming toxin and it is not unusual to find it this time of the year.”
She added that weekly sampling would continue and said the public would be notified once it was safe to collect wild mussels again.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.