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From the Houston Chronicle:Algae bloom closes Galveston Bay to oyster fishing
By Carol Christian | March 13, 2014 | Updated: March 13, 2014 11:23am
Oysters from Galveston Bay are off limits until further notice due to high algae levels.
The Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday said it was temporarily closing all of the Galveston Bay system to the harvesting of oysters, clams and mussels because of elevated levels of an algae that can produce a toxin in some shellfish.
The notice applies to both commercial and recreational harvesters.
State health personnel found elevated levels of Dinophysis algae in the bay, which produces okadaic acid. this toxin can accumulate rapidly in the tissue of oysters, clams and mussels and cause "diarrhetic shellfish poisoning," or DSP, in people who eat affected shellfish, the announcement said.
Symptoms of DSP include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramping. It is not life-threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects, according to the news release. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.
The health department was not aware of any human illnesses related to the algae bloom, and Texas shellfish harvested before the closure do not pose a higher health risk, the release said.
The toxin does not affect other seafood, such as shrimp, crab or finfish.
Dinophysis occurs naturally in the sea and estuaries but is not usually found in high levels along the Texas coast. In 2008, 2010 and 2013, Dinophysis produced toxin in oysters and required the health department to close harvesting in some areas, the release said.
The department frequently opens and closes areas to harvesting for a variety of conditions, so harvesters should check the status of Texas bays by calling the Department of State Health Services at 800-685-0361.
The Texas public oyster season ends April 30.
By Carol Christian | March 13, 2014 | Updated: March 13, 2014 11:23am
Oysters from Galveston Bay are off limits until further notice due to high algae levels.
The Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday said it was temporarily closing all of the Galveston Bay system to the harvesting of oysters, clams and mussels because of elevated levels of an algae that can produce a toxin in some shellfish.
The notice applies to both commercial and recreational harvesters.
State health personnel found elevated levels of Dinophysis algae in the bay, which produces okadaic acid. this toxin can accumulate rapidly in the tissue of oysters, clams and mussels and cause "diarrhetic shellfish poisoning," or DSP, in people who eat affected shellfish, the announcement said.
Symptoms of DSP include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramping. It is not life-threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects, according to the news release. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.
The health department was not aware of any human illnesses related to the algae bloom, and Texas shellfish harvested before the closure do not pose a higher health risk, the release said.
The toxin does not affect other seafood, such as shrimp, crab or finfish.
Dinophysis occurs naturally in the sea and estuaries but is not usually found in high levels along the Texas coast. In 2008, 2010 and 2013, Dinophysis produced toxin in oysters and required the health department to close harvesting in some areas, the release said.
The department frequently opens and closes areas to harvesting for a variety of conditions, so harvesters should check the status of Texas bays by calling the Department of State Health Services at 800-685-0361.
The Texas public oyster season ends April 30.
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